Prayers for the school

Children and staff in our school pray so that they can:

Develop a relationship with God: It is considered a way to connect with God, akin to "God's breath in man," and a foundational aspect of Christian life.
Show Worship and Adoration: Prayer is used to acknowledge God's goodness, love and sovereignty.
Express Confession and Forgiveness: Acknowledging the mistakes that we sometimes make and asking for God's forgiveness and strength to overcome them so that we can learn from them.
Express Intercession for Others: Praying for the needs of the world, the church, the community and those who are suffering.
Show Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude for God’s provision.
Seek Guidance: Aligning personal will with God’s will.
Seek Transformation: Allowing the Holy Spirit to transform hearts and lives.
For Unity: Using set prayers (like the Book of Common Prayer) connects individuals to the broader church community.

Heene School Prayer

This prayer was written for our school by our Worship Leaders in 2025.

Lord's Prayer

Prayers by children

Each class has their own prayer book within their spirituality zone in which children can write their own prayers for themselves, their school and the wider world. Here is a selection of some of them from this year so far.

Prayers from Collective Worship

Each week in Collective Worship, attention is drawn to a particular value displayed on our school’s logo. Here is some of what we have discussed so far this year:

w/b 15/06/26
After all the buildup, the FIFA World Cup is in full swing. At its very best, the World Cup draws communities together. Our school community is proud of the fact that its vision promotes togetherness; no-one is excluded. A frieze in our school hall depicts a tree made up of hundreds of multi-coloured jigsaw pieces all fitting perfectly together. We pray that, as the national teams and their supporters gather, their members will be reminded that they serve to be examples to our children of unity of purpose and respect.

Dear Lord, we pray for the members of our school teams and those taking part in sports days. May everyone show respect and kindness, whatever the outcome. Amen

w/b 08/06/26
This week we pray for our board of governors. We are fortunate to have members who bring a variety of experiences and skills that enable our school to flourish. Both St Botolph’s and St Matthew’s have representatives on the board.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the Governors at our school. We pray for them, and all who care for our children at Heene. By your Holy Spirit, give Governors strength, wisdom and vision, that they may be faithful to the trust they have received. May they prayerfully continue to support those with whom they work for the good of our whole school community. Amen.

w/b 18/05/26
This week we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Why? Well, at Easter the church rejoices that Jesus is raised from the dead. During the next 40 days Jesus appears to his disciples and teaches them that he will return to his Father God. However, he tells them that when this happens, they must wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. 10 days later, as the disciples are gathered together praying and singing, the power of the Holy Spirit gives them the faith and courage to tell everyone about Jesus. Since then, many billions of people have learnt about Jesus and now there are Christians all over the world.

Dear Lord, as we celebrate Pentecost, help us to be like those disciples as together in faith we love, grow and learn. Amen

w/b 11/05/26
This week sees the beginning of the SATS tests for our year 6 pupils. Since the beginning of the Spring Term, the teachers and support staff have been preparing the children for this their first experience of formal testing. To help them perform to the best of their ability, breakfast is provided each day. The well-being of all the children in our school is of paramount importance, and this is just one example of the care and attention given by our dedicated staff.

Dear Lord, we thank you that you provide us with the assurance of your presence. Draw near to our Y6 pupils and their teachers during these SATS tests. Remind them of the words of a hymn they know well: ‘Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy one is here.’ Amen

w/b 04/05/26
The first Monday of May is a bank holiday celebrating May Day. Many villages and schools perform Maypole dances, which involve a group of dancers circling a large pole that has ribbons hanging from the top. The idea is for each dancer to get hold of a ribbon and dance around the Maypole in such a way as to ensure the ribbons don’t get tangled. The dancers have to rely on each other as they work together as a team. We pray that members of our school community continue to show these qualities of reliability and teamwork in all that they do.

Dear Lord, we thank you that we can always rely on you to be with us as we at Heene work together to make our school the best that it can be. Amen

w/b 27/04/26
All those in our school community have their own individual stories to tell. No two people are exactly alike and so we are able to celebrate both the differences and similarities of all at Heene. This richness of culture, faith and tradition inspires our values of curiosity, respect, kindness and confidence. Sharing our experiences, we learn what it is to be resilient together as we face the future with hope.

Dear Lord, as we recall your story of the tiny mustard seed which grows into a tree, providing a home for all kinds of birds, may our school be a place in which everyone can settle and flourish. Amen

w/b 20/04/26
Our school is on the brink of a brand-new venture in the form of a small nursery school. This is in its early stage of planning and will be an exciting addition to the excellent provision our school offers to all pupils. Please pray for all those involved in the preparation and delivery of this much needed resource.

Dear Lord, when parents brought their children to you, you took them in your loving arms and blessed them. May your love and care be reflected in all our plans and relationships. Amen

w/b 13/04/26
As our children begin the summer term, there will be many activities which will enable them to experience the great outdoors. We are so fortunate to have both the beach and the South Downs on our doorstep. We give thanks for the beauty of nature, particularly at this time of new growth. We pray for all the teachers and support staff as they spend time planning for the wonderful opportunities offered to our children.

Dear Lord, please pour out your blessings upon our whole school community so that everyone may grow in the knowledge of your truth, love, wisdom and peace. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

w/b 23/03/26
In this age of smart phones, much discussion has been taking place regarding their effect on children. Our school is actively involved with parents and carers as they share their concerns with an ever-growing number of people campaigning for a ‘Smartphone free childhood.’ The mental health of pupils is at stake and so we pray that this is put at the forefront by tech companies who see children as their target audience. Jesus has harsh words for people who exploit the welfare of children for their own ends. ‘It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.’ Luke 17:2

Dear Lord, guard all children from the self-interest of the powerful. May their childhood be full of joy as they explore the world around them. Amen.

w/b 16/03/26
As I write this prayer, International Women’s Day is being celebrated. Mothers, too, have had their moment of celebration at the weekend as cards and presents were given in recognition for all they’ve done for their children. However, we know that so many others are involved in caring for children and young people, including all the adults in our school. We pray for them as they continue to nurture our pupils with the values surrounding our school badge.

Dear Lord, we give thanks for all mothers and everyone whose responsibility it is to ensure children have the best possible opportunities to flourish in a changing world. Amen

w/b 09/03/26
The pupils and teaching staff at our school are so excited to announce the opening of their new outdoor play area this week. There has been much preparation going on this term in order to make it ready. We give thanks for all the hard work that has gone into providing this all-important facility. Our vision statement, ‘together in faith we love, grow and learn’ illustrates how important it is to spend time together in work and play as we celebrate Jesus’ presence in our lives.

Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunities we have to flourish, build friendships and cooperate with each other. Amen

w/b 02/03/26
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland celebrates the saints who represent the nations of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. March 1^st is known as St David’s day as he is the patron saint of Wales. Not long before his death, he told his followers to, ‘Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.’ St David encouraged his followers to do the little things which made a big difference to the world around them. Our vision of the Mustard Seed reminds us that it’s the little individual acts of kindness and care that make a big difference to everyone’s lives.

Dear Lord, as we look for little ways to care for each other and the world around us, fill us with the joy of knowing we are being your faithful followers. Amen

w/b 23/02/26
As our school reopens after the half-term holiday, we think about the rest of the term that lies ahead. During these weeks, Spring really takes hold with warmer days in store. We pray for all the outdoor activities planned for the rest of this term and give thanks for parents and carers who volunteer to accompany children on school trips. In the Christian calendar, we also begin the season of Lent when we remember Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem.

Dear Lord, as we show show our gratitude to those who make it possible for us to explore the wonders of your creation, may we also accompany Jesus on his journey by showing how much we care for others. Amen

w/b 09/02/26
The Spring Term is flying by. No sooner, it seems, that the Christmas decorations come down and the Nativity figures are packed away that the half term holiday is practically here. This marks the half-way point of the school year. As we pause to take breath, we are reminded that Jesus, whilst packing so much into three years of teaching and healing, had to pause and take breath. He did this by setting to one side everything that clamoured for his attention, spending time in prayer whilst walking in the surrounding hills.

Dear Lord, just as it was necessary for you to ‘take time out’ from your busy life, we pray for opportunities for our children and staff to rest and reflect on the beauty that surrounds us. Amen

w/b 02/02/26
Our children are encouraged to think about how their behaviour in school affects others, as well as how it affects their own ability to respond to the many learning opportunities provided for them each day. Our school behaviour code is reflected in the phrase ‘Heene Habits’. These habits, such as listening respectfully and allowing others to express their points of view, encourage children to adopt behaviours which will benefit themselves and the whole school community. In this way, our school is preparing children to be responsible citizens of the future.

Dear Lord, help us all to behave towards each other as we would wish them to behave towards us. Help us always be mindful of the effect of our words and actions. We pray that what we say and do will create positive relationships amongst those with whom we spend our time. Amen

w/b 26/01/26
This week, Confidence is the focus which gives us the opportunity to reflect on how confident we feel and who inspires our confidence. For example, we can be pretty confident that the sun will rise each day, but when it comes to unfamiliar or challenging situations, we need to rely on someone who we trust to help us feel more confident. It’s like having someone shining a light on what we are finding difficult to understand. Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Dear Lord, thank you that we can have confidence in your shining presence with us each and every day. We pray that when we are not very confident in what we are doing we will have the confidence to ask for help. Amen

w/b 19/01/26
No two people are exactly alike, which is quite remarkable when we think of the billions of people living on our planet. Each of us is totally unique and in our school that individuality is both celebrated and recognised. In our school this is achieved in a variety of ways. For example, each week pupils are congratulated for ‘letting their light shine’ perhaps in the way they have illustrated the way they have modelled one of our values.

Dear Lord, thank you that we are all unique individuals and that you love us just as we are. Help us to support each other when times are tough. Amen

w/b 12/01/26
You have probably noticed that, poking up on areas of bare earth, are the tender leaves of early spring bulbs. Even though we are in the depth of winter, the promise of new life is there for all to see. Each of our children at Heene hold within them the promise of new life as they grow and flourish. Just as those bulbs require nourishing soil to surround them, so our school provides the nourishment of a loving, nurturing environment, encouraging each child to discover more about the world around them and their place in it.

Dear Lord, thank you that you care for each one of us and, even in our darkest days, give us hope for the future. Help us to grow closer to you and to each other day by day. Amen

w/b 05/01/26
As the children and staff return after a well-earned half-term break, Each day, our school joins in with praying the Lord’s prayer together. As part of that prayer, we say, ‘Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ So, at the beginning of a new term, we pray that God will reveal his purpose for our school as the community seeks to grow together in love. We are all on a journey of faith and belief in Jesus’s promise that he will be with us always, especially through the challenging times.

Dear Lord, when it is difficult to see what lies ahead, may your will be done and may we always remember that you walk alongside us, every step of the way. Amen

w/b 21/12/25
Now that our school community is having its well-deserved Christmas Holiday, we pray for all our families as they prepare to celebrate their own festivities. For some this will be a truly joyous time of year, whilst for others it brings its own challenges. So, as we prepare to welcome Jesus into the world as a defenceless baby, born into poverty with his parents far away from home, we pray for all those who will remember family members who will no longer be with them, for whatever reason.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus. We give thanks for his gifts of love and compassion. May we always be mindful of the needs of those around us. Amen

w/b 15/12/25
This week we shall be lighting the third candle on our Advent wreath in school and in our churches. The wreath of candles helps us remember that we are waiting for the birth of Jesus which is coming ever closer. The custom of lighting a candle each week was introduced during Victorian times when churches were very dark in the winter months. As they did then, the candles remind us that Jesus comes into our world as a light that can never be put out, however dark the world seems to be.

Here is a prayer for this third week of Advent:
Lord Jesus, light of the world, born in David’s city of Bethlehem, born like him to be a king: be born in our hearts at Christmas, be King of our lives today. Amen