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The Good Shepherd
Catholic Primary School
“I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own and my own know me”. John 10:14"
Branch 5 To the end of the Earth
In this unit, Year 3 will explore key teachings about the Holy Trinity, the Mass, and the early Church. By the end of the unit, pupils will be able to connect Scripture passages (such as the stories of Emmaus and the Great Commission) to parts of the Mass, deepening their understanding of how the liturgy reflects biblical events. They will use religious language to describe the mystery of the Trinity and recognise symbols of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, such as the sign of the cross, which serves as a reminder of their baptism and connection to the Christian community. Students will learn prayers expressing belief in the Trinity, including the Glory Be and Come Holy Spirit, and recognise Mary’s role in prayer, linking this with the Catholic tradition of asking for her intercession.
The unit will also help pupils connect the life of Jesus in the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul’s letters, understanding the various forms of writing used in Scripture to communicate God’s message. Through critical reflection, pupils will consider the meaning of events such as the recognition of Jesus on the road to Emmaus and the feelings of the disciples after the Ascension. They will explore symbols of the Trinity and discuss their significance, potentially visiting a local church to observe these symbols in context. In response to their learning, pupils will reflect on how the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples and consider how they, too, can be guided by the Spirit in their lives.
Our Catholic Social Teaching focus will be on the Common Good. Children will investigate the impact of Mary’s Meals, discussing how ensuring every child has access to food and education reflects the values of the common good and Mary’s nurturing love for all.
The Road to Emmaus
Children listened to the Scripture story of the Supper at Emmaus, reflecting on the moment when Jesus revealed Himself in the breaking of the bread.
They made links to the Mass, such as:
- Jesus joining the disciples on the road to Emmaus (The Gathering)
- When Jesus explained the scriptures to the disciples (Liturgy of the Word)
- Jesus breaking the bread (Liturgy of the Eucharist)
- The disciples ran to share the Good News (Dismissal)
Children then explored famous artistic representations of this scene, including 'Supper at Emmaus' by Caravaggio. Inspired by these paintings, they created their own paintings, capturing the wonder and recognition of Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
Pentecost
Children have been learning about Pentecost. They explored how the disciples, along with Mary, prayed together in the upper room, waiting in hope for the gift God had promised them. Each child created a flame, describing how the disciples might have felt, such as hopeful, or wrote a prayer based on hope. They then 'huddled together' to listen to the scripture (Acts 2:1-13), just as the disciples had done. Finally, we discussed how we can still ask for Mary's prayers today and how she supports us, just as she supported the disciples, as our Mother in Heaven.
The Common Good - The Impact of Mary's Meals
This half-term, our focus in Catholic Social Teaching has been The Common Good. We looked at the work of Mary’s Meals and the difference it can make in the life of a child. The children learned that something as simple as a bowl of porridge at school can lead to better attendance, more friendships, improved health and nutrition, and a brighter future.
Once children understood this impact, they created posters to display around the school. Their aim was to help others see how their donations and efforts can really make a difference in the lives of those in need.
The Holy Trinity
Year 3 have been learning about the Holy Trinity and how it was revealed at Pentecost. They explored signs and symbols that represent the Trinity and discussed how, as Catholics, we show our belief in the Trinity - beginning with the simplest and most familiar action: making the Sign of the Cross.
The children recognised the Glory Be as an important Trinitarian prayer, but our main focus was on the prayer Come, Holy Spirit. They annotated the prayer to help deepen their understanding of how the Holy Spirit guides, protects, and teaches us in our daily lives.
The Early Church
This week, the children have been learning about the Early Church and how Jesus entrusted it to Peter after His Ascension into heaven. They explored how the Church began to grow and spread across the world, guided by the Holy Spirit. By looking at Scripture from the Acts of the Apostles - such as “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46) - the children identified key features of the early Christian community. They made connections between the Early Church and the Church today, noting how both break bread, care for those in need, and gather in faith.
Then, the children took part in a drama activity. Some took on the roles of early Christians, while others represented Catholics today. They shared the similarities and differences between the two, reflecting on how the mission of the Church continues in the world today.
St. Paul
Children learned about the life of St. Paul, originally known as Saul. They discovered how he transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Jesus after a profound spiritual experience. As a missionary, St. Paul travelled around the world, spreading the teachings of Jesus. The children also explored his epistles, understanding the importance of his letters in guiding early Christian communities and shaping Christian theology. They then wrote biographies that highlighted his journey, missionary work, and the lasting impact of his writings.