Catholic Life at Corpus Christi

As a Catholic school, we seek to embody the Catholic life in all that we do, guided by our school mission and values. These values shape our daily actions, relationships, and learning, helping us to grow in faith and live out the teachings of Jesus. We follow the liturgical year through prayer, worship, and celebration, marking key seasons and feast days as a school community. This shared experience helps us to recognise that we are all part of one family, supporting and caring for one another as we grow together in faith and love.

Retreat Days

Each term we schedule a whole school retreat day linked to a key theme of the liturgical year. These special days give pupils time away from their usual routine to focus on prayer, reflection, and their own spiritual growth. Rooted in Catholic tradition, retreat days help children explore scripture, think about their faith, and consider how Gospel values can be lived out in everyday life. Through creative and reflective activities, pupils respond to what they have learned and share in the experience as part of our school community, taking key messages and reflections home to share with their families.

Autumn Term

For our Advent Retreat Day, we focused on preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ, with the theme “Prepare the Way of the Lord”. Pupils reflected on this scripture and explored how they can ready themselves for Jesus through their actions and choices. They took part in a range of activities, including creating a ‘carrying manger’ for their sacred space. Throughout Advent, pupils also shared and celebrated acts of kindness, helping to create a welcoming and loving environment for Jesus.

Spring Term & Summer Terms

Our Summer retreat day focused on CAFOD’s Pledge Day. There was a strong emphasis on Catholic Social Teaching. Throughout the day, we created a whole-school pledge, outlining the promises we make together as a school family. It linked very closely with our Creation and Covenant topic in RE. Pledge Day is a response to Pope Francis’ call for all to be “Pilgrims of Hope” during the Jubilee Year. It’s a time for us to celebrate, reflect and put our commitment into action in meaningful ways.

Liturgical Feast Day Celebrations

Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival is a time in the Church calendar when we give thanks to God for the gift of creation and the food we receive. This year, we held a Harvest Festival assembly encouraging our pupils and families to donate non-perishable food items such as tins, packets, and dried goods. We prayed together, sang hymns, and reflected on sharing with those in need, linking to Catholic Social Teaching: The Preferential Option for the Poor. All donations were then collected and shared with our local food bank.

October: Mission Month

As a school, we dedicate October to ‘Mission Month’. We take time to reflect on the mission God has given us and how we are called to live it out in our daily lives.

Little Way Week

During Little Way Week, we focused on living out the teachings of St Thérèse of Lisieux by encouraging pupils to carry out small acts of kindness and love. Activities included daily reflections and prayers inspired by her “Little Way,” creative work and displays celebrating her life, and simple challenges such as helping at home, showing kindness to classmates, and caring for the environment.

The Month of the Rosary

To commemorate the Month of the Rosary, members of the Legion of Mary visited school each week to pray the Rosary with the children, gently guiding and supporting them in prayer.

November: Remembrance

During November, we mark the month of Remembrance by taking time to pray for and remember those who have died. Pupils took part in class worships and participated in a range of meaningful activities that help pupils reflect in a respectful and age-appropriate way. We also had a Remembrance Tree in school, where children and their families were invited to add names and messages for loved ones. A memorial wall was also displayed outside the school, creating a shared sacred space for the whole community. The month concluded with a special Mass of Remembrance with Father James at church.

Holy Week

This year, we continued our cherished tradition of coming together as a school community to reflect on the meaning of Holy Week through Scripture. The week began with Key Stage One sharing the story of Palm Sunday, followed by Year 3’s reflection on the Last Supper and Year 4’s moving presentation of the Stations of the Cross. Year 5 led a thoughtful Celebration of the Word, deepening our understanding of this sacred time. The week concluded with a powerful Passion Play performed by Year 6, offering a memorable and reverent retelling of the Easter story. It was a week filled with reflection, pride, and a shared sense of faith across the school.

Stay and Pray

We invite family members to join us for our Stay and Pray sessions, which provide a special opportunity to share in the prayer life of the school. These sessions are planned and led by the children, who carefully prepare worships that mirror the structure and style of their weekly class worships. This allows families to gain insight into how worship is experienced and developed across the school, as well as how it is adapted for different age groups. Stay and Pray sessions help to strengthen the link between home, school, and parish, while celebrating the children’s growing confidence in leading prayer and reflection.

Charitable Work and Serving Our Community

Teesside Hospice Reindeer Run

Corpus Christi Primary School supported Teesside Hospice by taking part in the Reindeer Run to raise funds for the charity. Pupils took part with enthusiasm, while our Mini Vinnies and Sports Crew helped support and organise the event. This reflected our call as a school community to help others through acts of service and charity.

The Poppy Appeal

As a school, we supported the Royal British Legion by raising money to support veterans, serving members of the armed forces, and their families. Pupils were given the opportunity to buy poppies, wristbands, pins, and other themed items, with proceeds going to vital services such as rehabilitation, financial aid, and mental health support for veterans and their families. We raised over £140 more for the Poppy Appeal than last year.

CAUSE Hamper Campaign

The CAUSE Hamper Campaign is a Christmas initiative where we support families in need by donating food and gifts to create festive hampers. Each year, our school community comes together to donate non-perishable food items and small gifts, which are used to make hampers for local families. This helps bring joy and practical support at Christmas, while encouraging pupils to show kindness, generosity, and care for others in our community.

Mission Together Fund-Raising

Mission Together is the Pope’s official children’s charity, supporting children around the world by providing food, education, healthcare, and a safe place to live and grow in faith. Each year during Lent, we raise money for this charity as a school. Pupils take home a red box to collect loose change throughout the season, encouraging them to pray, share, and give. At the end of Lent, the boxes are returned and the money raised is donated to support children in need around the world, helping us to live out our faith through kindness and generosity.

Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) coffee mornings

Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) coffee mornings take place during the Eco Shop on the second Tuesday of each month. Visitors are welcomed for coffee and biscuits, and time is spent discussing the important role of SVP in supporting the local community. Our Mini Vinnies sometimes join the sessions, helping and supporting in the Eco Shop and contributing to the welcoming atmosphere.

Carol Singing

Every year, pupils from Corpus Christi visit Cleveland View Care Home to sing traditional and festive songs to the residents. This experience helps children to develop confidence, empathy, and a sense of giving back, while care home residents enjoy the music, social interaction, and festive spirit. It is always a meaningful way to connect generations and share the joy of Christmas.

Climate Club

A selection of pupils took part in our Climate Club, an after-school opportunity designed to raise awareness and inspire action around environmental issues. Through interactive and educational sessions, pupils explored topics such as renewable energy, the impact of climate change on people and animals, and how small actions like recycling and saving energy can make a difference. The club encouraged curiosity and responsibility, helping pupils to grow as young environmental advocates within school and the wider community.