Spiritual life
The spiritual life of everyone associated with St Martin's is important to us; students, their families, staff, governors and visitors to the school. As a Church of England school, we provide a learning environment where our Christian faith is lived out every day through worship, in our relationships and in teaching. We are a caring and happy community where students find security, acceptance and an opportunity to develop their potential. In all that we do, we seek to show God's care for our students. We value, respect and celebrate all cultures, all faiths and none because we are inspired by a welcoming, inclusive and loving God, seen in Jesus Christ and lived out through the Holy Spirit, alive in every person.
Central to this is our school Bible verse from St Paul's first letter to the Corinthians:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Religious Education plays a central role in the spiritual moral, cultural, social and mental development of every student at St Martin's. It provides a structured framework for them to explore the philosophical and ethical questions faced by all humanity. Religious Education is an entitlement for all students. It has an important role in creating the distinctively Christian ethos of our school, informing our values and helping students to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, particularly those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.
Part of our heritage is our school prayer and our school song. Both are very important to us. We say our school prayer and sing our school song at our St Martin's Day and Founder's Day Services.
School Song
St Martin, through the fields did pass,
When snow lay white one Candlemas,
And saw a poor man, lean and old,
Half naked in the bitter cold:
His heart was pierced with pity's pain,
He cut his duffle cloak in twain,
And clothed that beggar, to his gain,
St Martin, in the fields.
Now, where St Martin's shrine doth stand,
All in the fields beside the Strand,
The gift he gave has spread so wide
That all who come find warmth inside:
And London's poor and needy folk
Find shelter 'neath St Martin's cloak -
Find warmth and shelter 'neath his cloak,
St Martin-in-the-Fields.
And o'er our School his cloak doth spread,
To shelter many a childish head.
Our School, where games and learning ride
In joyous laughter, side by side:
From here, into the world we'll fare,
The wrong to fight, the right to dare,
Remembering whose cloak we wear -
St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Dear God,
We thank you for your love and your promise to be with us. At school or work, at rest or play, help us to feel near to you and hear your voice.
Inspired by St. Martin’s example, may we always show respect, encourage one another and serve our community. Help us to be aware of our talents, be enquiring and independent. May your gifts of faith, hope and love shine in us today.
Amen
Inspired by St Martin’s School Prayer