Prayer is that point in our lives when we open ourselves to God.

In prayer, we can praise,

beseech,       

thank,

lament,

explore.

We can speak.

We can listen.

We can wait.

Prayer is an act of alignment.

It is when we say, “nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”

That’s the point.

Please use prayer to bring before God the life of St Andrew’s school.

A number of current school issues which you could also pray for are listed below.

We should like to offer thanks for:

• the calm and orderly way in which the public examinations have been conducted
• confirmation that the additional funding that was awarded to the school to support the development of the Food Technology area and the delivery of the Hospitality diploma will, after some serious doubts that it might be withdrawn, be forthcoming; we hope that sufficient students from other schools will want to take up the new course for September 2011
• recruitment of new staff to date; we have made some very promising appointments but have still to rely on agencies to fill two places where there has been insufficient interest – we continue to seek colleagues of high calibre
• the enthusiasm and capability that our new caretakers, Steve and Wendy Ryan, continue to bring to their role, making a real difference to the school environment
• the appointment of our data co-ordinator, who has settled in well to school life
• the continued work of school council and the development of ‘student voice’ within the school; we pray that we can continue to grow this dimension of school life, engaging more and more members of the school community in contributing positively to the way the school is run
• the effective launch of the school pastors scheme and thanks to those friends of the school, recruited through local churches, who walk with our students to their various departure points at the end of the day, three days a week, to help them feel safe
• the success of the team-bonding day for the new school officers and the training day for the new peer mentors and buddies, as they prepare with genuine enthusiasm for their new responsibilities
• the success of sports day and the excellent behaviour demonstrated by St Andrew’s students, earning praise and commendation from the staff at the arena

In addition we should like to pray for

• the work that has to be done before the end of term to prepare for the coming academic year and ensure that advances made this year are embedded
• all Year 10 as they take part in their fortnight’s work experience later this term, that they may be kept safe in their placements and when travelling, and make the most of this opportunity
• the continuing work of the Transforming Croydon Schools programme, especially those involved in planning the future of St Andrew’s and Archbishop Tenison’s, so that the right decisions are made for the future of Christian education in Croydon for the years to come despite serious concerns about funding the programme
• any changes to the staffing structure as the school adapts to changing circumstances and new opportunities so that those staff affected may not be unduly disturbed by any change
• the efficient erection of modular classrooms on a corner of the field during the summer to allow for the expansion of Food technology
• the Friends of St Andrew’s and the work they do in strengthening parental engagement with the school and raising funds
• staff who are leaving the school, either to start their retirement or because their careers are taking them elsewhere – we thank them for all they have contributed to St Andrew’s during their time with us
• the new governors who joined the governing body this year so that they can fulfil their roles confidently.
• all those students preparing to join St Andrew’s in September and the induction process later in the term
•  HOPE, St Andrew’s community outreach programme, that there will be a good number of volunteers coming forward to serve the wider community and develop a sense of social responsibility amongst the students now that new officers are being recruited
• the handful of students who struggle with serious emotional problems and relationships

A prayer which staff have used recently to start the week, is printed below.

We recognise that the work we do in a Christian school should be seen as an act of service to God and we therefore pray that everything that we say and do may be in line with God’s purpose, and recognised as such by staff and students.

Prayer

Eternal light, shine into our hearts,

eternal goodness, deliver us from evil,

eternal power, be our support,

eternal wisdom, scatter the darkness of our

ignorance,

eternal pity, have mercy upon us;

that with all our heart and mind and soul

and strength

we may seek your face and be brought

by your infinite mercy to your holy

presence;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Alcuin of York (804 AD)