Spirituality at St. Mary's

This language of spirituality begins from a Christian understanding that everyone is a valued creation, individually and uniquely made by God, like pots made by a potter. Yet in life things happen that impact on the physical ‘pot’ of life and create cracks that provide a glimpse of something ‘beyond’ the tangible. Christians would view this as an opportunity to relate to God.

The Golden Glue

In these special moments there is a spiritual opportunity.

Kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken ceramics with golden joinery or glue, creates something that has been broken into something differently beautiful and even more valuable. Using this metaphor, the ‘wows’, ‘ows’ and ‘nows’ of life offer the possibility of becoming cracks that are filled with gold, adding significance and value to life. In all these moments, there is an opportunity to invite God to be involved in making sense of these experiences.

Mrs Shepherd smashed the very first pot she had ever made and used kintsugi to repair it, making it even more beautiful in the process.  We use this pot as our symbol to remind us that the cracks made in life can be filled with the golden glue of spirituality.

WOW Moments

Cracks may be caused when something so good and breath-taking happens that the pot expands and cracks – the wows of life.

OW Moments

Cracks may happen when something challenging happens and threatens the comfort of everyday
– the ows of life.

NOW Moments

Cracks can also happen in the stillness and ordinariness of everyday – the nows of life. A moment of stillness, a pause or prayer can create a crack in the normal, physical everyday.

We help each other to recognise these moments in life and to reflect on events that make us who we are.

Everyone will respond differently to WOW, OW and NOW moments, therefore making each crack unique to us as individuals.

What is Spirituality?

The ability to be reflective about your own beliefs that inform your perspective on life and your interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values. A sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about ourselves, others and the world around us. Using imagination and creativity in our learning. A willingness to reflect on our experiences.

Why is Spirituality Important to Our School?

• For our mental health and wellbeing. To be calm and at peace; giving us a rest from noise and pressure.
• To develop that toddler - like curiosity and questioning (why, what, where, how etc)
• To help us wonder……
• To stop, reflect and be grateful.
• To appreciate the wonderful world we live in.
• To heighten our senses and pay attention to detail.
• To marvel at the simple and beautiful.
• To enjoy colour, structure and form.
• To think about other people, places and see the wider picture.
• To move away from instant gratification.
• To think about our place in the world.