Preparation for First Holy Communion

The leaflet below provides guidance and preparation details for your child's First Holy Communion.

Prayer and Worship 

Our mission motto: At St veronica's, we recognise the face of Christ in every person, serving others with love, kindness and respect. 

At St Veronica’s RC Primary School, our Catholic faith is at the heart of everything we do. Rooted in the love of Jesus, we see ourselves not simply as a school, but as a caring and supportive family where every child is welcomed,valued and nurtured in faith.

Our mission shapes daily life in school. We encourage our children to grow in love, kindness and respect, recognising that each person is a unique gift from God. Through our shared values, we aim to create a community where everyone feels included, supported and inspired to live out the message of the Gospel.

Prayer and worship are central to our school day. Collective worship takes place in a variety of forms – as a whole school, in classes and in smaller groups – providing meaningful opportunities for reflection, stillness and spiritual growth. Worship is rooted in Scripture and follows the rhythm of the Church’s liturgical year, helping children to deepen their understanding of faith and develop a personal relationship with God.

Children are active participants in our Catholic life. As they progress through the school, they take on increasing responsibility in planning and leading acts of worship, developing confidence, leadership and a deeper sense of faith. Our GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) Team also plays a key role in supporting and leading worship across the school.

The Eucharist is central to our identity as a Catholic community. We work closely with our parish to support children and families in preparing for the sacraments, recognising these as important milestones in their faith journey. We value the strong partnership between home, school and parish. Parents and carers are warmly invited to join us for celebrations of the Word, assemblies, Masses and “Stay and Pray” sessions. These shared experiences strengthen our community and help our children to see that faith is a living and joyful part of everyday life.

Through all aspects of school life, we aim to help every child grow spiritually, morally and socially, encouraging them to live out their faith with compassion, forgiveness and a commitment to serving others.

Meet the GIFT Team

GIFT Team and Pupil Leadership

At St Veronica’s, we are very proud to have such wonderful faith role models, who are part of our GIFT Team, which stands for ’Growing in Faith Together’. Our pupils take on a meaningful leadership role rooted in faith and service. Pupils apply for this role by expressing their commitment to serving as faith role models, demonstrating an understanding of the school’s Catholic ethos and their desire to contribute to the spiritual life of the community. Those selected are formally commissioned during a cluster Mass, affirming their role in supporting and developing pupil-led ministries and acts of service.

The GIFT Team meets weekly through a dedicated after-school club, where pupils plan and lead a range of liturgical and prayer opportunities. These include organising collective worship for key liturgical seasons and significant global events such as Remembrance and Holocaust Memorial Day. Pupils are supported to deepen their understanding of prayer, scripture and service, and to translate this into meaningful action within both the school and wider community. This is further enriched through engagement with the parish, including attending Mass where possible, and through outreach work such as leading worship sessions at Highfield Care Home.

Central to this provision is the clear mission, Beati pacifici, meaning Blessed are the peacemakers, from the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:9, which underpins all GIFT Team activities. This mission provides a strong foundation, guiding pupils to live out Gospel values in practical ways. Through this, pupils are formed as active witnesses to Christ, developing leadership, responsibility, and a commitment to promoting peace, compassion, and unity. This structured approach ensures that pupil leadership in faith is intentional, impactful and contributes significantly to the Catholic life and mission of the school, aligning closely with the expectations of Catholic Schools Evaluation and Development.