The Holy Council

At Kelvedon St Mary's, we believe every child has a voice and can make a valuable contribution to our community.

Our Holy Council is a group of pupils who work alongside staff to help shape the spiritual life of our school. They are leaders, listeners and ambassadors for our Christian vision, helping to ensure that Collective Worship and opportunities for spiritual development are welcoming, meaningful and inclusive for everyone.

"Even though we are the Holy Council, we don't just represent Christianity but faith as a whole in our school."
– Holy Council member

Holy Council members play an active role in school life by:

• planning and leading Collective Worship;

• choosing prayers, Bible readings and stories;

• gathering feedback from pupils and staff to help evaluate worship and shape future developments;

• contributing ideas to develop spirituality across the school;

• helping make decisions about our spiritual spaces and worship experiences;

• welcoming visitors and representing our school community;

• supporting worship and celebrations at St Mary's Church.

At the end of each Collective Worship, Holy Council lead The Peace, saying:

"May the peace of the Lord be with you."

to which our school community is invited to respond:

"And also with you."

This simple tradition reminds us that we are one community, encouraging one another, building each other up and carrying that spirit of peace into the rest of our day.

Being a member of Holy Council is an opportunity to develop confidence, leadership and responsibility while serving others. Members help us to notice how our Christian vision is being lived out across the school, listen to the views of others and encourage everyone to reflect on how we can continue to grow together.

Through Holy Council, our children experience what it means to live out our vision:

Together we inspire possibilities.
Together we share joy.
Together we belong.

By listening, leading and serving, Holy Council help us to build a school where every voice matters, every person is valued and everyone is encouraged to flourish.