A good day starts on your knees, so we start each day at 9.30am with prayers in the church. On Thursdays, we have the honour of praying before the exposed Blessed Sacrament.
We walk next door to St. Benedict’s, where lessons begin at 9.40am. Every lesson begins and ends with a prayer. St. Benedict’s combines a classically taught curriculum with the best of what is new. The children benefit from a team of priests, sisters and lay people. We aim to form children through the teaching of the Catholic Church and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. We hope to maximise the intellectual potential of the children but, more importantly, to encourage a life of virtue, to live not just for ourselves but for God and for others.
When it’s time for a break, we take balls, skipping ropes and frisbees to our playground. Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we have a newly resurfaced area, complete with swings. It is a joy to see the children play together and form good friendships which could last a lifetime.
After more lessons, it’s time for our packed lunches. We pray together and eat together. If it’s a special feast day, we may share cake or a treat. The older children take some responsibility for cleaning up afterwards and everyone else enjoys some time on the playground.
In the afternoon, lessons continue. We have a short break in the large room indoors, where table football, Lego, chess and board games are very popular. It’s not unusual to see a Canon playing a game with the children or a teacher assisting with the Lego.
All too soon, lessons resume. These include catechism and singing. The older children learn to sing Gregorian chant, a treasure of the Church, with one of the Sisters. The younger children have singing lessons too, in preparation for joining the older children when they are ready. From time to time, our choir sings at Mass so we try to make the music as beautiful as possible.
Having worked hard and had some fun, we make our way back to church at the end of the day, for prayers together.
If you would like to see what a day at St. Benedict’s is like for yourself, please contact us. We will be happy to see you.