Catholic Life
Ethos at St Paul's Catholic College
St Paul's exists as a distinct community because it has Christ as its foundation. His teaching and example are the basis for our daily life, relationships and future hopes.
Learning to Serve
Christ gave us the ultimate example of service when he washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper. The Leadership of the school and the management of students and staff in terms of relationships, welfare and development should reflect its Christian nature. We can teach this through the example of our school motto: Achieving Excellence, Learning to Serve.
Personal Relationships
The twin themes of love of God and love of neighbour should guide every member of the community. We are a spiritual, not just a religious, community and we show our love of God through our relationship with him. Respect, concern and care shown by all, to all demonstrate that we live out these core values.
Spiritual Development
St Paul's provides a setting where the faith of pupils and staff develops and matures. Our prayer and liturgy enables pupils and staff to develop a greater knowledge of and closer relationship with God. Daily life in our community help us develop our consciences and moral judgement. We reflect on the wondrous gifts that God has given and do all we can to ensure that each member of the community is able to use these to fulfil their potential.
Curriculum
One of the early Church Fathers said: "The glory of God is each person fully alive." The curriculum at St Paul's encourages excellence and achievement through the breadth of opportunity available, the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom and the motivation that comes from good relationships between staff and pupils. Each pupil is equally important and this is reflected in the curriculum where all pupils are encouraged to achieve their potential, and have their achievements recognised and praised.
All members of St Paul's are encouraged to fulfill their ministry and use their talents to the full so that they can bring Christ to each other and to the wider community of the school.
A Community from which Christ is taken to others
St Paul's cannot be a community in isolation. Its members must go out to play their full role in the local church and bring their distinctive influence to bear on the wider community. We are committed to instilling the core British values of Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs, as lived out in our Christian faith.
All pupils at St Paul's are helped and prepared for the roles they can play in the community outside the school. They are helped to develop the qualities of personal responsibility and commitment as well as the knowledge and skills which will equip them for later life.
We are a forward-looking community who prepares pupils now for the changes and challenges that the wider world will present in all areas of their adult lives. They will be better able to bring Christ into all aspects of their lives and influence others by their example.
Chaplaincy
We have a Lay Chaplain who runs our liturgies, masses, retreats and is involved in every aspect of the spiritual life of the school. She has strong links with the Religious Education Department. The Chapel has recently been totally refurbished and is a wonderful place of prayer and reflection, in the presence of the blessed sacrament. The Chaplain also has an office just beside the chapel.
A prayer garden is currently under development and a group of Year 7s is actively taking part in the digging, weeding, planting and building of all that is needed. The Stations of the Cross are visible around the school gardens and are used as a teaching aid but also for all KS3 classes to use as prayer aids for the Stations during Lent.
Masses, liturgies, retreats, assemblies and tutor prayer all provide opportunities for the pupils and staff to engage in the prayer life of the school. The Chaplain regularly attends the Upper Thames Deanery meetings and in particularly works alongside the local parish team at St Ignatius of Loyola RC Church. The Chaplaincy Team is active throughout the liturgical year participating in assemblies, liturgies and Masses and also serve the local community through collecting and distributing food at a local food bank in Sunbury. The Chaplaincy continues to promote Gospel values by using outside agencies to provide drama, discussions and debate based on Catholic Life alongside the Religious Education Department.
The worship and prayer life of the school is firmly rooted in the liturgical year and reflects the richness of the Catholic tradition with a focus on Pauline theology. Pupils' spiritual development is enriched through the regular opportunities they have for prayer, quiet reflection, sharing and discussion."
Section 48 Ofsted Inspection of Religious Education and Catholic Life - January 2022