Chaplaincy
Our Christian Vision
‘Excellence for All: A community of hope and aspiration, enabling all to flourish.’
At Whitburn Church of England Academy, we believe that every one of us in our community is unique and of value. Each of us has a contribution to make to our community as we work together for the flourishing of all. Christians believe that God gives each of us ‘a hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11). We are respectful of the hopes of others and we encourage one another to aspire to be the best that we can be, today and in the future.
Inspired by the words of Oscar Romero, we ‘aspire not to have more but to be more’. Together, as we develop our unique gifts and talents, we grow into the people we were created to be. We learn from one another and work together to play our part in building a flourishing community. We aspire to have the courage to make a difference, and carry hope to the wider world.
Chaplaincy
I’m Miss Rogers and I am the School Chaplain.
A chaplain is essentially a ‘ministry of presence’; a person who is embedded in the school community who is committed to ‘walking alongside’ people, wherever needed.
In the context of our school, a significant part of my role is about ‘journeying’ with staff and students through everyday life, in life’s ups and downs, listening and supporting members of our school community, whatever their faith, beliefs or background may be.
Alongside me, I have a dedicated ‘Chaplaincy Team’ of students from all year groups who help to lead our whole school worship assemblies, as well as volunteering to help with local community projects. At the students’ request, we have also recently begun a ‘Bible for Beginners’ lunchtime club, which is proving popular!
Working with the Diocese of Durham, we have been able to offer opportunities for our older students to develop their leadership skills. Many of our Year 10 students volunteer to run Prayer Space activities at the Year 6 Leavers’ Services in Durham Cathedral each June. We also take part in an annual pilgrimage with other secondary schools, walking barefoot across the sand to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, in the footsteps of St Cuthbert.
We have a special sense of community here at Whitburn and it is my privilege to be able to serve the staff and students here as the Chaplain; it is such a rewarding job – and no two days are ever the same!
Collective Worship
Collective Worship plays a central role in the life of our school community and is an expression of our Christian Vision as a Church of England Academy. Our Collective Worship aims to meet the needs of all members of our school community, wherever they may be on their journey of faith and belief, by providing opportunities to encounter faith in an ‘inclusive, invitational and inspiring’ manner.
Our Collective Worship explores the Academy’s Christian Vision through our shared ‘Be Values’, which were chosen by the students. These values express our Christian Vision for our school community, aiming to encourage each of us to aspire to be the best that we can be, both today and in the future.
Our Worship is ‘collective’ in that it involves gathering together as a community and having an opportunity for stillness, reflection and, for some, prayer – in an otherwise busy working environment. Our worship does not assume faith, but offers opportunities for all members of our school community to think, to ask questions, to reflect and to pray if they wish to. Care is taken to ensure that the language used is accessible, and warmly welcoming.
Our Collective Worship aims to help each of us to consider how we might ‘be more’ by pursuing our God-given potential, and by using our particular gifts to serve others, wherever we may find ourselves; aspiring to become courageous advocates for change in the world.
