Collective Prayer & Worship
“Our world needs witnesses of hope. It needs disciples whose lives shine with the certainty that the Lord is near, even in times of darkness and suffering. Our hope grows stronger, not by avoiding difficulties, but by facing them with faith. God in Christ is Emmanuel - God with us always, no matter what…..Trust him and draw closer to him, especially through prayer ….. I invite you, dear brothers and sisters, to renew your spiritual life and your service to others.”
(from Archbishop John Wilson’s Pastoral Letter for the Opening of the Jubilee Year of Hope)
Our relationship with God is nurtured in prayer and so collective prayer and worship are central to the life of our school.
Morning Prayers
Daily Form Prayer takes place during Form registration time each morning and is usually led by a student using our STAC Prayer Book or their own resources. As well as following the liturgical seasons and feast days, students are actively encouraged to contribute to prayer by requesting to lead the prayers, writing their own prayers and putting forward prayer requests. You can access the current STAC Prayer Book here.
Prayers and thoughtful reflections are also shared by staff at the start of staff briefing each morning with different members of staff leading each day.
Assemblies
Each year group joins in collective worship every week for an assembly, with the focus for each week planned following a structure based on the Church's seasons, feast days and significant dates in the calendar. Students help to prepare and present these assemblies. You can see our weekly Assembly Schedule for 2024-2025 here.
Holy Mass
We are very fortunate to have St Thomas the Apostle Church nearby and Fr Raymond Abuga, the parish priest, who is a great friend of the school. During the first half term of the year, Fr Ray celebrates Mass with each year group in our beautiful chapel, placing the hopes and cares of every student and member of staff in the hands of our loving Father. In addition, Mass is celebrated for the whole school on Holy Days and on our School Feast day. Students participate with the readings, bidding prayers, altar serving, offertory procession, music and enthusiastic congregational singing for the Masses.
Prayer Services
Each year we look forward to the birth of Christ with our Advent Carol Service held at St Thomas the Apostle Church and then follow the events of Our Lord’s passion and resurrection in our Holy Week liturgy just before Easter. An essential part of these liturgies is the ministry of our Gospel Choir who help to raise our hearts and minds to God.
Each year on Remembrance Day the school gathers in silent prayer following The Last Post played by one of our students and remembers all those who have fallen in war.
There are also special Leaver’s Liturgies for Year 11 and Year 13 students to give thanks for the years shared together and look forward to the next chapter in their lives with hope and trust in God.
Newsletter Reflection
The Chaplaincy Team offers a reflection for the bi-weekly school newsletter related to the liturgical season, holy days and important events in the news. During Lent staff and students are invited to contribute prayers and reflections.
