At St. Teresa’s, the GIFT Team is dedicated to leading collective worship and addressing global issues within our school and wider community. Inspired by our patron saint, St. Teresa of Avila, and her special prayer, “Christ has no body now but yours,” the team brings this message to life by taking the lead in organising Celebrations of the Word, fostering moments of spiritual reflection, and advocating for social justice projects.

The GIFT Team, working alongside Miss Gibbons, also plays a key role in helping our younger children grow in their faith, guiding them to deepen their relationship with Christ. Through their efforts, they inspire everyone in our school to live out Christ’s love, empathy, and service, reaching out to those in need around the world. Their dedication to faith and service reflects our shared mission to be true followers of Christ in everything we do.

What the GIFT Team Does:

• Organise parish events.
• Assist with charity events, including Refugee Day.
• Help organise whole school liturgies and Celebrations of the Word.
• Work with the Pupil Parliament to ensure their actions reflect our faith.
• Lead special prayer groups before school or during break times.
• Organise home/school worship links.

Through their actions, the GIFT Team helps foster a deeper sense of faith and community, inspiring us all to live out our mission as true activists of Christ.

At St. Teresa’s, we believe that every pupil’s voice is important. Through our Pupil Parliament, students have the chance to take on leadership roles, represent their friends, and share their thoughts about the school. Working alongside Mr. Alexander, the Pupil Parliament helps pupils understand their rights, get involved in improving the school, and make a difference. This also helps children build leadership skills and work together as a team.

The Pupil Parliament members work with Catholic values, focusing on helping others and building God’s kingdom. They make a difference by following values like kindness, caring for others, and protecting the world around us.

What the Pupil Parliament Does:

• Represent the views of the student body.
• Raise money for school activities.
• Participate in charity and fundraising events.
• Share ideas and concerns with teachers and staff.
• Help those in need.

What the Pupil Parliament Does:

• Lead surveys and promote healthy habits, like looking after the environment.
• Organise and lead assemblies to inspire others.
• Help with conflict resolution and create anti-bullying campaigns, like posters.
• Organise charity events, school festivals, and fundraising activities.
• Contribute to the school newspaper, website, or podcasts.
• Encourage good behaviour and positive attitudes.
• Work on action plans to improve the school.
• Follow Pope Francis’ message in Laudato Si, helping the environment by organising litter picks and planting bulbs.

Being a part of the Pupil Parliament helps children feel part of the school community, encourages them to listen to others, and builds confidence. Through their actions, students work together to make St. Teresa’s a better place, all while living out their faith and building God’s kingdom.

At St. Teresa’s, we believe that every pupil’s voice is important. Through our Pupil Parliament, students have the chance to take on leadership roles, represent their friends, and share their thoughts about the school. Working alongside Mr. Alexander, the Pupil Parliament helps pupils understand their rights, get involved in improving the school, and make a difference. This also helps children build leadership skills and work together as a team.

The Pupil Parliament members work with Catholic values, focusing on helping others and building God’s kingdom. They make a difference by following values like kindness, caring for others, and protecting the world around us.

What the Pupil Parliament Does:

• Represent the views of the student body.
• Raise money for school activities.
• Participate in charity and fundraising events.
• Share ideas and concerns with teachers and staff.
• Help those in need.

What the Pupil Parliament Does:

• Lead surveys and promote healthy habits, like looking after the environment.
• Organise and lead assemblies to inspire others.
• Help with conflict resolution and create anti-bullying campaigns, like posters.
• Organise charity events, school festivals, and fundraising activities.
• Contribute to the school newspaper, website, or podcasts.
• Encourage good behaviour and positive attitudes.
• Work on action plans to improve the school.
• Follow Pope Francis’ message in Laudato Si, helping the environment by organising litter picks and planting bulbs.

Being a part of the Pupil Parliament helps children feel part of the school community, encourages them to listen to others, and builds confidence. Through their actions, students work together to make St. Teresa’s a better place, all while living out their faith and building God’s kingdom.

The “Faithful Friends” group at St. Teresa’s is made up of Year 6 children who take on the important role of guiding and mentoring our youngest pupils in the Nursery and Reception classes (EYFS). They believe that every child can flourish with the right support and care, and their mentorship plays a vital part in helping the younger children grow and thrive during their first two years at school. The Faithful Friends offer guidance, friendship, and encouragement, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence in the younger children. At the same time, this role helps instil a sense of responsibility and compassion in the Year 6 pupils. Throughout the year, the Faithful Friends and the younger children engage in various activities, from sharing stories and working on joint projects to simply spending time together. These interactions help build strong, lasting relationships that reflect the core values of our Catholic faith, creating a supportive and caring community at St. Teresa’s.

The Playground Leader role is a vital part of life at St. Teresa’s. Year 6 pupils are invited to apply for this position by explaining why they believe they are well-suited to the job. Meetings are then held with Miss Lightfoot to discuss the role, its responsibilities, and expectations.

Playground Leaders are responsible for organising and running activities for our Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 children during lunchtimes. Their key tasks include:

• Ensuring there is enough equipment available.
• Setting up and overseeing games.
• Acting as referees.
• Demonstrating positive behaviour and sportsmanship as role models for younger pupils.

To make them easy to recognise, Playground Leaders wear their sports bibs on the days of their sessions.

In addition, Playground Leaders are encouraged to reward good behaviour they observe by reporting it to class teachers or teaching assistants, allowing those children to receive class rewards.

This role not only enriches playtime for our younger pupils but also provides Year 6 pupils with an opportunity to develop leadership, responsibility, and teamwork skills.

In Year 6 at St. Teresa’s, children take on a wide range of responsibilities that help them develop important skills and grow as leaders. Each child selects a role based on their unique strengths and skills, and they take on their responsibilities with pride and commitment. Some children serve as librarians, working alongside Mrs. McCann to tidy the library, create a safe and welcoming reading space, and organise reading competitions to encourage a love for books. Others take on the role of bench monitors, collaborating with Mr. Leecy, the caretaker, to set up for school events, help tidy up, and maintain a clean and caring school environment. Digital leaders work with Mrs. Kane to ensure teachers and students are prepared for computing lessons, taking care of the school’s technology. Corridor monitors, under the guidance of Mr. Alexander, help maintain a safe and respectful atmosphere throughout the school by encouraging good behaviour. Every Year 6 pupil takes their role seriously, working together to improve the school and create a positive environment for everyone. These responsibilities not only help students grow in their leadership abilities but also reflect the values of our Catholic faith, where we are all called to make a difference. As it says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” This reminds us that each of us, with our unique gifts, can make a difference in our community.