School Statement on Spirituality

To talk about spirituality is, essentially, to talk about something which is beyond words. To make conversations about spirituality more accessible to every member of our school community, Brenzett CE School has chosen to follow ideas developed by the Diocese of Canterbury.

This language of spirituality is based on the understanding that all humans have the capacity to experience the world as a rich source of nourishment and the more attuned to this we become, the more we flourish as individuals. Spirituality is an intrinsic part of all religions and in Christianity this is understood to mean that everyone is a valued creation individually and uniquely made by God like pots made by a potter (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. Christians would view this as an opportunity to relate to the Divine Creator God.

Cracks may be caused when something so good and breath-taking happens that the pot expands and cracks – the wows of life. Cracks may happen when something challenging happens and threatens the comfort of everyday – the ows of life.

Cracks can also happen in the stillness and ordinariness of everyday – the nows of life, when a moment of stillness, a pause or prayer creates a crack in the normal, physical everyday.

In these special moments there is a spiritual opportunity. Kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken ceramics with golden joinery or glue, creates something that has been broken into something even more beautiful. 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.

Brenzett CE School uses this language and the concepts of wows, ows and nows. These are used to explore relationships with:

- ourselves

- others

- the wider natural world and beyond

- and offering the invitation to relate to God

 At Brenzett, we use the analogy of Windows, Mirrors and Doors to describe the process of turning a spiritual moment into an opportunity for spiritual growth.

First of all there is an experience; a spiritual spark or “sparkle which may be a Wow! Ow! or Now! moment. Pupils are encouraged to stop and notice, as though looking through a window to admire or notice something happening outside of themselves.

Then comes a “mirror” moment where they reflect on the experience. This reflection process is what turns a spiritual moment into an opportunity for spiritual growth and is usually guided by an adult who leads them to wonder at this special opportunity.

Finally comes a door: having experienced and reflected on a spiritual moment a child might wish to respond in some way. This outward looking part of the process helps pupils to view themselves as having a place in the world where they can make a difference: they can be activists, advocates and artists who can express their thoughts and feelings in their own individual way. The doors help pupils to connect to the wider community and the wider world and empowers pupils to develop their own self-identity and character.

Spirituality at Brenzett CE Primary School enables pupils to find meaning and purpose in their lives: they are able to find the extra-ordinary in the ordinary and in this way they truly thrive.