At Berkswell spirituality is about the development of a sense of self, of soul, personality and character.
Our Vision and Values supports the development of spirituality as a school community and for individuals.
Spirituality is reflected in all aspects of school life, within worship and across the curriculum.
How do we describe spirituality at Berkswell School?
Christians believe that; Everyone is a valued creation, individually and uniquely made by God, in his own image.
It also refers to God as a potter and describes everyone being the work of God’s hand.
Sometimes pots can crack or break. Sometimes things happen that make us feel cracked or changed.
Christians believe that whatever happens to them in life, God is with them.
God can mend gaps and put everyone back together.
The Wows, Ows and Nows
The Bible talks about how God creates everyone in His own image.
‘We are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of Your hands’ Isaiah 64:8.
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.
Kintsugi, is a Japanese technique for repairing broken ceramics with golden joinery or glue.
The word ‘Kintsugi’ means ‘golden joinery’ in Japanese.
It creates something that has been broken into something even more beautiful and more unique. Instead of hiding the scars it makes a feature of them.
Using this metaphor, the wows, ows and nows of life offer the possibility of cracks that are filled with gold and make the pot even more beautiful.
The gold in the cracks reflect a little of the wonder 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.
God bless this school and those within.
Bless our ‘wows’ and wondering.
Bless and heal our ‘ows’ and pain. Bless our ‘nows’ again and again.
Bless all who enter and depart.
Bless this school, may we know Your heart.
Amen
Pupil Voice
“I like going to the prayer station. I feel calm and relaxed. All the stress and worry that happened that day flows away.” (Clara)
“I like the silence during our prayer time. It gives me time to be calm and to think.” (Florence)
“I like the time of silence to say our own prayers to God.” (Henry)
“It’s really good to come together in the ‘ow’ moments of our lives and pray for people in the world who are suffering.” (Naiya)