Prayer areas or spiritual spaces, such as our school Chapel, classroom prayer areas and communal reflection spaces provide our school community with an opportunity to develop skills of personal reflection and to explore prayer in an open, inclusive and safe environment. Our children are encouraged to use and contribute to these spaces, showing respect and an understanding of how these areas reflect the Catholic identity of the school. 

All classes and communal areas have prayer areas, linked to the liturgical calendar and containing spiritual artefacts and resources which aim to generate contemplation, provide inspiration and give a focal point for prayer. Prayer areas should be created by or with the children and should contain a candle, a cross, a Bible and a cloth reflecting the correct liturgical colour. Children, with support from members of the Chaplaincy Team, are inspired to personalise their prayer areas with such resources as flowers, prayer stones, prayer boxes, prayer books, spiritual artwork and figurines. At key times of the Church’s year, items are added to classroom prayer areas to focus in on important events. This includes, rosary beads and Hail Mary cards in May and October, calendars for Lent and Advent that help to prepare the children, Advent wreaths and nativity sets.
 

Mary Mother of the Church	In November we remember	Candlemas
Easter	Ordinary Time	Prayer Box

Each class also has a Prayer Bear. These bears come with their own bag, containing items to encourage children to set up a small prayer area at home and pray with family members when they take the bear home for a visit. Each year, our bears are blessed at our first Mass of the new school term.

The Blessing of our Prayer Bears	A letter from Prayer Bear	A Gregory Prayer Bear with his Bag
Celebrating the Blessing of our Prayer Bears	Prayer Bears at home	Bear Circle

Since 2014, we are blessed to have a school Chapel, situated at the centre of our school, signifying the importance of liturgy and prayer for us at The Catholic School of St Gregory the Great. The Chapel is used daily and is a space where we celebrate Class Masses, complete lunchtime prayer activities, take time to meditate or reflect and participate in weekly prayer groups.

Our House Saint St Augustine	Our Mustard Seeds Club	Our House Saint St Bernadette
Our House Saint St Francis	Our School Chapel	Our House Saint St Teresa

Take a look at the pictures below of our classroom prayer areas, which are respected and cared for by all our classes.

EYFS Christmas	EYFS Christmas	Year 1 Ordinary Time
Year 1 Lent	Year 6 Advent	Year 2 Ordinary Time