Spirituality

"The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me a continual spiritual journey"- Leo Buscaglia

Spirituality has many different connotations for different people. Spirituality is about more than just awe and wonder, more than just developing a moral compass. Spirituality is the space between the everyday and the extraordinary. At WSG we define spirituality as the act of being fully human by revealing ourselves, our relationships with others, with beauty and the beyond and doing so through love.

• Self: Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of self – the inner person and the way that this shapes an individual’s perception of themselves as a unique human being. Spiritual learners reflect on the relationship that

they have with their sense of being a unique person.

• Others: Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of others – a growing empathy, concern and compassion for how to treat others. Spiritual learners reflect on how their values and principles affect their relationships with others.

• World and Beauty Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the

concept of a physical and creative world – a growing relationship with beauty through the ability to respond emotionally to experiences of the wonder of the natural world and the results of human creativity. Spiritual learners explore their understanding of beauty and the affect this has on their perception of and relationship with the world

• Beyond: Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of the beyond – a growing relationship with the transcendental and the ability to explore experiences beyond the everyday. Spiritual learners search for meaning in their very existence and their place in the greater scheme of things.

At Wimborne St Giles First School and Nursery we enable to give all children opportunities to think about themselves, others, beauty and creation and the world beyond. We encourage children to become independent thinkers and wonderers. We model an environment of inclusion and respect. We allow children the space, process, imagination, relationships, intimacy and trust to be spiritual beings.

Our Christian values of Love, Hope and Joy create an ethos within the school where all children are valued equally, we work together as a team and all seek to achieve their potential. Our values and vision statement are explored in the context of biblical stories so we can root our values in biblical precedents.

Spirituality in Collective Worship

Collective Worship is the beating heart of Wimborne St Giles CE First School and Nursery. It provides the opportunity for our school community to share experiences, ideas and understanding. It is the context in which the language of spirituality, which we use as a school, is regularly and explicitly shared. Collective Worship provides the opportunity for pupils to become aware of the importance of reflection and how our positive and negative experiences can be formative. It also provides a real sense of being present which are often linked to invitations to pray. Through daily Collective Worship, pupils are offered a space and a place for hearing the Christian story. They are offered an understanding of worship by being invited to participate in, or observe, Christian spiritual practices such as: prayer, reading and reflection on the Bible and liturgy and are introduced to different musical traditions. Opportunities to reflect on the wows of life such as beauty and joy of the world are given, as well as time to reflect and empathise with the moments of disappointment or pain. Pupils are given time to consider their responsibilities to others and to grow in love and service. Time is given for celebration, both for the accomplishments of school members and to mark seasonal Christian festivals and celebrations in the calendars of other faiths. In this way pupils are offered time to be able to contemplate and develop spiritually. Collective Worship in WSG is invitational, inspirational and inclusive.