Page 13 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

CALLED TO A LIFE OF PRAYER
At the heart of Ratcliffe College is our Christian identity, and at t the heart of Ratcliffe College is our Christian identity, and at
A
the heart of Christian identity is the desire to be close to the will t of Christian identity is the desire to be close to the will
the hear
of God. Because of this, there is a clear dedication to fi nding nding
of God. Because of this, there is a clear dedication to fi
moments
moments each day for prayer. Spending time in quiet refl ection, each day for prayer. Spending time in quiet refl ection, COLLEGE NEWS
where both student and staff bodies can come to know who God both student and staff bodies can come to know who God
where
is, is central to the life of the College. Each week begins and
is, is central to the life of the College. Each week begins and
ends in the College Chapel in collective worship; feast days are
celebrated with Mass; Remembrance Day (right) and Easter are
marked with special services; and Advent and Lent are signifi ed
by Reconciliation Days. Regular Boarding Community Weekend
Mass and Night Prayer, as well as Tutor Group Prayers, further
contribute to the liturgical life of the College. This year’s Easter
service was said to be particularly moving, with Connor Hodges
(a Year 9 student) delivering a solemn and heartfelt vocal solo
performance. The use of video clips as a narration tool also
helped to bring the Passion of Christ alive.

CALLED TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL
Ratcliffe’s vision is for each student to leave the College having
developed Strength of Mind, Strength of Values, and Strength
of Purpose, but what does this really mean, and how do we relay
this message to the school community? Each week, the Senior
Leadership and Chaplaincy Teams lead or facilitate assemblies
that are designed to engage, develop and inspire those
present, and every other week, individual year group assemblies
further support this. Many students, staff members and guests
have addressed us this year. Particular highlights have been
presented and created by students ranging from Years 8 to 13,
including Miles Dunne, Olivia Delargy and Joanna Chan (all from
Year 13), who spoke about the importance of charity and the
work of CAFOD. Students are also encouraged to develop their
faith outside school, and retreats offer this opportunity. A retreat
experience (as pictured, right) allows time for those attending to
experience (as pictured, right) allows time for those attending to
think and build their relationships with God, themselves, and with
think and build their relationships with God, themselves, and with
others. This year, Years 7, 8 and 9 have all made retreats to various
others. This year, Years 7, 8 and 9 have all made retreats to various
locations, which were enjoyed by all.
THANK YOU

Finally, I would like to give special thanks to the Chaplaincy and Charities staff and student teams – in particular, Eleanor Waters, who
has given above and beyond this year.

Emma Hall
Lay Chaplain

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