Chaplaincy is understood as the way help and encouragement is offered to staff and pupils as they try to fulfil their respective roles within the school community. We recognise and appreciate the role played by staff, parents, priests, governors and pupils as we try to fulfil our aim of being “the best we can, showing Christ’s love in all we do.” Our Chaplaincy Team exists to foster the Christ-centred Catholic ethos of the school and to create and maintain God’s peace in our school. Through a variety of liturgical and spiritual opportunities, we support and encourage all pupils and staff in their faith journey.
The welfare of staff and pupils is given high priority by the leadership. However, through the pastoral care exhibited towards the needs of the pupils, all members of staff within the school contribute to a whole school approach to Chaplaincy.
Our school’s Chaplain is Mrs Anna Haighton, who supports and leads our Chaplaincy team.
The Young Chaplains team comprises of three children from Years 5 and three from Year 6. They lead, with guidance from our School Chaplain Leader, lunchtime interactive prayer sessions called, ‘Footsteps in Faith’ in our Chapel, based around the teachings of the Bible and prayer. They provide a voice to the school chaplaincy team and evaluate the effectiveness of the school by contributing to the school’s Pupil DSEF whilst working closely with the School Chaplain. The Young Chaplains aim to enhance the prayer life and spirituality of the school through their input and example. They also contribute to liturgical displays, various Sacred Spaces around the school and prayer tables.
The Chaplaincy team aim to:
- Support the school in emphasising its spirituality and Catholicity as set out in the school’s mission statement
- Support and encourage the school’s pastoral care for the whole school, pupils, staff and parents
- Promote, plan and organise the celebration of liturgies and cooperate with others in developing the school as a Christian community
- Develop the prayer environment and Sacred Spaces across and outside of the school
- Children are prepared for Reconciliation and Eucharist in Year 4. During this time of preparation, staff, parents and priests all contribute to the children’s spiritual development.
- Children have the opportunity to receive the Eucharist at school and class masses.
- Children have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
A Bible reading group led by the Young Chaplains is offered for children from KS1 and KS2 weekly through our Footsteps in Faith group, giving the children an opportunity to share thoughts of readings and a time for prayer.
