"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) 

Three moments. Every day. 

At St John Henry Newman Catholic School, we believe it is important to create sacred moments within the ordinary rhythm of every school day. Our Sacred Time gives students and staff the opportunity to stop, become still and make space for an encounter with God. It is a chance to step away from the busyness of school life and remember that Christ is at the heart of our community. 

• Morning (tutor time): we begin with God. 

• Lunchtime: we give thanks to God. 

• End of the day: we reflect with God. 

What Sacred Time looks like 

These moments may include: 

• Traditional Catholic prayers 

• Scripture 

• Spontaneous prayer and intentions 

• Music, reflection or silence 

Through this regular rhythm of prayer, we want our young people to understand that prayer is not something reserved only for Mass or the chapel. God can be encountered throughout our day. 

Our school prayers 

Our school prayers give these moments a shared identity, while also connecting us to our patron, our students and the wider Catholic Church. 

• Our School Prayer: written by a student many years ago and inspired by the words and spirituality of St John Henry Newman. Generations of students have prayed the same words, connecting those who have been part of our school in the past with those who belong to our community today. 

• Our Morning Prayer: As part on their Induction into School our Year 7 students are given the opportunity to write a prayer to be used as the Daily prayers throughout the Year. Collected by our Lay Chaplain with additions for Feasts and Holy days out students help to support the Spiritual life of the school by contributing to our daily ritual of prayer. 

• Our Lunchtime Prayer: also written by one of our students. At the midpoint of our busy day, we thank God for our food, our families, our friendships and all those who care for us, and remember those who have less. 

• End of the day: one of the "Prayers Pupils Ought to Know" identified by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. This forms part of our Prayer Learning Journey, through which students become familiar with the traditional prayers of the Church as they progress through SJHN. 

Prayer around the school 

• Prayer focuses tables maintained by the Faith in Action Leaders and crucifixes in every classroom 

• Year group assemblies with prayer and Scripture once a week 

Sacred Time is for everyone 

Students and staff may be at different points on their journey of faith, and some may belong to different faith traditions or have no personal faith commitment. Everyone is invited to participate respectfully and to use the time for stillness and reflection. No one needs to have the "right words"; sometimes simply being quiet, listening and reflecting can itself be a meaningful encounter. 

Three moments. Every day. Time to stop. Time to reflect. Time to encounter God. 

"Lord, teach us to pray." (Luke 11:1) 

Part of our whole-school Oracy Initiative 

Pray with Purpose helps our students develop the confidence, language and understanding they need to participate meaningfully in prayer. Prayer is a form of communication: it involves speaking, listening, reflecting and responding. Just as we explicitly teach students how to communicate confidently in the classroom, we also teach them how to find their own voice when speaking to God and when leading others in prayer. 

What students do 

Students are given regular opportunities to: 

• Compose and lead prayers 

• Respond to Scripture 

• Offer intentions 

• Use silence effectively 

• Reflect on the needs of our school, local and global communities 

Students are encouraged to move beyond simply reading a prayer from a page and to think carefully about what they are saying, why they are saying it and who or what they are praying for. Staff model good practice and provide the vocabulary, structures and confidence students need, with increasing independence as they progress through the school. 

Heart speaks unto heart 

Pray with Purpose brings together our commitment to oracy and faith formation. It develops confident speakers and attentive listeners, while helping our young people understand that prayer is a genuine conversation with God. Inspired by St John Henry Newman's motto, Cor ad cor loquitur, "Heart speaks unto heart", we want every student to know that their voice matters and that they can speak to God honestly, thoughtfully and purposefully. 

"Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12) 

Leading, not just taking part 

At St John Henry Newman Catholic School, we believe our students should not simply take part in prayer and liturgy, but be given the confidence and skills to lead it themselves. 

• Leading Lights Chaplaincy Team meet regularly to plan prayer services, liturgies and special moments of prayer linked to the liturgical year, our school mission and the needs of our community 

• Faith in Action representatives (100+ across the school) share and lead these within tutor groups, ministering to their peers 

• Students read, serve, sing and lead prayer at Mass and assemblies 

• Monthly student-prepared liturgies linking to the Catholic calendar 

Every student leads prayer 

Student leadership of prayer extends to every young person at SJHN. Each tutor group has a dedicated prayer rota, ensuring that all students are given opportunities to prepare, contribute to and lead prayer during their time with us. 

With support and guidance from staff, students gradually develop greater confidence and independence. They learn how to use Scripture, reflection, music, silence, traditional prayer and their own words to create meaningful opportunities for encounter with God. 

Through this, we hope our students come to recognise that prayer belongs to them too: their voices matter, their intentions matter, and they can help others encounter Christ through the prayer they lead. 

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) 

The rhythm of the Church's year 

The Liturgical Year is the rhythm of the Catholic Church's year and helps us to journey through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At St John Henry Newman Catholic School, it shapes our prayer, liturgy and worship throughout the year. Throughout each season, the colours, prayers, Scripture, Masses and liturgical celebrations within our school change to reflect the Church's journey. 

Our year at a glance 

On Holy Days of Obligation we celebrate Mass and offer Eucharistic Adoration. 

In this way, our students don't simply learn about the Liturgical Year: we journey through it together as a Catholic community. 

Ash Wednesday 

When Ash Wednesday falls in term time, students gather together in prayer and mark the beginning of Lent by receiving ashes on their forehead. 

"Do this in memory of me." (Luke 22:19) 

The Eucharist at the centre 

The celebration of the Eucharist is central to our Catholic life at St John Henry Newman Catholic School, bringing our community together in prayer, worship and encounter with Christ. Mass is celebrated with our Priest Chaplain, Fr Alex Taylor. 

How often we celebrate Mass 

• Whole-school Masses: 3 times a year 

• Class Masses: monthly, in smaller tutor group and year group communities, giving more personal participation and involvement 

• Holy Days of Obligation: Mass for the school community 

• Christmas and Easter: special celebrations as we journey through the liturgical year 

• Leavers' Masses: for Year 11 and Year 13, to celebrate, give thanks and pray for our young people as they prepare for the next stage of their journey 

Christmas Mass at Holy Family 

Before we break up for Christmas, our students walk together from school to Holy Family Parish Church to celebrate Mass. The journey itself is an important part of the occasion: hundreds of our young people walking together to their local parish church are a visible witness of faith within our local community. 

After the busyness of the Advent term, entering the church gives us the opportunity to become still, reflect and give thanks for our Advent preparations, and to remember the true meaning of Christmas before leaving school to celebrate with our families. It is a beautiful expression of the relationship between school, parish and community. 

From attending to participating 

Through these celebrations, students are invited not simply to attend Mass, but increasingly to participate, serve, lead and understand the richness of the Church's liturgical life. 

• All Proclamation of the word done at any Mass or Liturgy is lead by students within our community these are students who volunteer or are highlighted as students who would serve our community well. 

• Our celebration is furthered by the amazing team of Alter servers who help to support these large masses and take part in the service of our Church. 

• Our Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are Sixth Form students who attend the training and commissioning hosted by the diocese in collaboration with the Kenelm Youth Trust. We are so proud as a school that our students step up to take on this important role within our masses. 

• Our Liturgies are supported by our amazing and devoted Choir, 20 students form our school who rehearse and work tirelessly to help support the music ministry within our masses, the joyous celebration of our masses would be impossible without them supporting and leading the way for us all. 

"This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15:24) 

Reconciliation Services in Advent and Lent 

During Advent and Lent, every student at St John Henry Newman takes part in a Reconciliation Service, an important opportunity to pause, reflect and prepare spiritually for the great celebrations of Christmas and Easter. 

• Every student, every Advent and every Lent 

• Scripture, prayer, silence and an examination of conscience 

• Students reflect honestly on their relationships with God, with others and with themselves, and think about how they can make a fresh start 

• Catholic students may receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) with a priest 

• Those who do not wish to receive the sacrament, or who are not Catholic, remain fully included in the prayer and reflection 

These services help our young people experience one of the central messages of our Catholic faith: that God's mercy is always available to us, and we are always offered forgiveness, reconciliation and a new beginning. 

This is only possible by the amazing generosity in time given by the Priests of the Coventry Deanery. We are regularly visited by 3-10 priests and are grateful for their commitment to supporting our school in the sacrament of Confession. 

Eucharistic Adoration 

 Adoration is time spent in quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, in which Catholics believe Jesus is truly present. We are lucky enough that we are able to house the blessed Sacrament in our School Chapel and so we have opportunity of Adoration on a regular basis. 

We Currently host Adoration: 

• Every Friday lunchtime 

• On Holy Days of Obligation 

• At key liturgical times such as Lent services and Advent Celebrations. 

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain." (Psalm 127:1) 

Opening Mass and Blessing of our new school: Friday 2 October 2026 

Friday 2 October 2026 marked a very special moment in the history of our school as we gathered to celebrate the official opening and blessing of St John Henry Newman Catholic School. 

• Mass celebrated by His Grace Archbishop Bernard Longley, who blessed our new school 

• Joined by Bishop Richard Walker, Fr Charles Miller, Fr Peter Conley and Fr Alex Taylor 

• Students, staff, governors, families, clergy and invited guests gathered in thanksgiving 

• Music from CJM 

The celebration was about much more than opening a new building. Gathering around the altar gave us the opportunity to place Christ at the centre of this new chapter and to renew our commitment to our Catholic mission. Archbishop Bernard's blessing was a powerful reminder that every classroom, corridor and space within SJHN should ultimately serve our mission of making Christ known and helping every young person recognise their God-given dignity, gifts and purpose. 

As we celebrated together, we looked back with gratitude for the history and traditions of Cardinal Newman Catholic School, while looking forward with hope as St John Henry Newman Catholic School: one Catholic community, walking together in faith as Christ-centred pilgrims of hope. 

Relics of St Carlo Acutis 

Our school community was privileged to welcome the relics of St Carlo Acutis to St John Henry Newman Catholic School back in April 2025. 

• Students prayed in the presence of, and venerated, the relics during the school day 

• Carlo showed our young people that holiness is possible in the ordinary, everyday world 

• His love of the Eucharist, his faith and his desire to use his gifts in the service of God gave our students an inspiring example of following Christ 

Many students were moved by the knowledge that Carlo experienced many of the same interests, challenges and experiences as young people today. The visit reminded us that the saints are not simply figures from the distant past, but real people who can inspire us on our own journey of faith, and encouraged our students to consider how they too can use their gifts, choices and everyday lives to make Christ known. 

Celebrating our patron: 9 October 

• Newman was received into the Catholic Church on 9 October 1845 

• In 2025, Pope Leo XIV declared him a Doctor of the Church and co-patron of Catholic education 

• The day begins in prayer, then continues with celebration, feasting and treats 

• Each year group explores a different part of Newman's life and teaching 

For more information on the Feast day celebration Look at our Catholic Life Page. 

Remembrance 

Remembrance service is a large part of our school community, each year we host a remembrance service, to remember those who have fallen in war but also to remember those who we have lost from our school community. We invite family of those who are no longer with us to attend and we host a prayer service so that we as a school community can come together in prayer during the month of all souls to pray for those we have lost. 

"Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." (Mark 6:31) 

A sacred space at the heart of our school 

At the heart of our new school is The Canon Diamond Chapel, a beautiful sacred space dedicated to prayer, reflection and encounter with God. 

What happens in the Chapel 

Students and staff can: 

• Attend Mass 

• Pray before the Blessed Sacrament 

• Light a candle 

• Reflect, or simply find a moment of peace and stillness 

• Experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation 

When it is open 

• Open every lunchtime for students 

• Weekly staff prayer every Wednesday at 8:10am 

• Used for class visits, Adoration, small-group liturgies and lunchtime prayer services 

• Our Sanctuary Space is also open every break and lunchtime supported by our Antibullying Ambassadors 

Named after Canon Arthur Diamond 

The chapel is named in honour of Canon Arthur Diamond, whose vision and commitment to Catholic education were fundamental to the establishment of Cardinal Newman Catholic School in 1969. Canon Diamond had a deep love for Catholic education and recognised the need for a third Catholic secondary school in Coventry, serving the growing number of Catholic families on this side of the city. 

More than fifty years later, as we begin a new chapter as St John Henry Newman Catholic School, it is fitting that his name remains at the heart of our school. The chapel honours his legacy while continuing the mission he believed in so deeply: a Catholic education with Christ at its centre for generations of young people in Coventry.  

"My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." (Isaiah 56:7) 

Everyone is welcome 

Students of all faiths and none are welcome at St John Henry Newman. Students and staff may be at different points on their journey of faith, and some may belong to different faith traditions or have no personal faith commitment. 

• Everyone is invited to participate respectfully in Sacred Time and to use it for stillness and reflection 

• No one needs to have the "right words"; simply being quiet, listening and reflecting can itself be a meaningful encounter 

• At Reconciliation Services, students who are not Catholic remain fully included in the prayer and reflection 

• During the Mass all students of any faith are invited up to partake in the communion by receiving a blessing. This is something we teach to all so they can understand this act of inclusion and love within our faith.  

"To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often." (St John Henry Newman) 

Who leads our prayer and liturgy 

Staff prayer and formation 

• Weekly staff prayer in the Canon Diamond Chapel every Wednesday at 8:10am 

• All Staff meetings begin with prayer to call God into the work we do. 

• Staff model good practice in prayer and give students the vocabulary, structures and confidence to lead it (Pray with Purpose) 

• Annual staff spiritual Inset days, each year hosted by the Holy Cross Catholic Mac our school comes together with other schools to have a formation day on our catholic teachings. Working with the Columban Missionaries to understand the strive for a better world. 

How prayer and liturgy are planned 

• Our programme follows the liturgical year 

• Assemblies follow a termly programme linked to the liturgical year and our Catholic Social Teaching theme for each half term 

• Our Tutor time prayers are written by our students and collated by our Lay Chaplain. Key feast days and celebrations are noted within these daily prayers too.