On Friday 24th May, St Lawrence College Junior School held its annual Prayer Space Day, an event designed to foster thankfulness and awareness among the children about the blessings of health, food, and clean water.
The event took place throughout the sunny morning on the Junior School Back Field with all year groups in a carousel system that led them through three interactive ‘zones’, each reflecting on a central theme inspired by the words of Jesus in John 6:35: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
This links closely to Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which asserts every child’s right to the best possible health. The day was structured to highlight the children’s access to clean water and nutritious food, something many children around the world lack.
Zone A: Musical Reflections on Food
In Zone A, the children explored food through music. Led by Mrs Helen Caddick, the Junior School Director of Music, and Rev. James Goodwin-Hudson, the School Chaplain, this zone featured a lively sing-along under a blue marquee. Accompanied by Rev. Goodwin-Hudson on guitar, the children sang fun food-themed songs such as Spike Milligan’s “Baby Sardine,” “Jelly on a Plate,” “Coffee Pots,” and “Keep Fit Calypso.”
Zone B: Forest School and Clean Water
Zone B, took the children into the Forest School where they focused on the essential resource of clean water. This activity was led by Mr James Rawbone, Senior School AEN Teacher and Junior School parent, along with Governor, Mr Peter Russell and three of our Senior School pupils: Eva, Tara and Mariko. The children tried methods of making clean water using sand filtration, and talked about the importance of clean water and the challenges faced by those without easy access to it. This session ended with a prayer:
Dear Lord
Thank you that we have clean water to drink. We pray for the people around the world who do not have clean water and thank you to the organisations who work so hard to provide clean water for people all around the world.
Amen.
Zone C: Fruits of the World
In Zone C, the children learned about the origins of different fruits and their significance. Under the guidance of Mrs Abi Jameson, a Governor, and parent volunteers Mrs Jennifer Jennings and behind the scenes Mrs Jane Sharp, the children talked about where difference fruits came from in the world and painted with different fruits and reflected on their gratitude for the diverse and readily available fruits in their lives.
Our great thanks go to the teachers and volunteers for running a wonderful Prayer Space Day, which all the children greatly enjoyed.
