Catholic Life
Our College mission and ethos is fully supported through the work of our Chaplaincy. The Chaplaincy team celebrates with students from all faiths and none in times of joy, or advises them in times of difficulty. The Chaplaincy aims to foster and develop the spiritual life of the individual and of the sixth form, based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
We have well-resourced Chaplaincy areas at each of our sixth forms. Reaching out to all members of the sixth form community, they support individuals in their day-today life and in their journey of faith.
The spacious and comfortable Chaplaincy rooms are a hub for social activity, with beautiful adjoining Chapels for prayer and worship. The Chaplaincy room is open to all – students just drop-in to relax, meet with friends or participate in an organised activity. The Chapel is a place for quiet space to reflect and pray. Mass is celebrated in the Chapel weekly and on Holy Days throughout the year.
Students don’t have to be religious to get involved. The Chapels afford an opportunity for students of any faith or none to find some peace and space for reflection.
The Chaplaincy team meets weekly with tutor Chaplaincy representatives to discuss issues, plan events, and contribute to College Liturgies. They receive support, training and experience retreat opportunities. This role helps student to grow in confidence, develop leadership skills and to make a difference.
Our students say:
“The chaplain is someone who anybody can talk to regardless of your faith. They can be there as a listener if you just need to talk and they will never judge.”
“The Chaplaincy is a calm place where all students can go to clear their minds and discuss anything that is bothering them; they are always able to get an answer.”
“It also is a good place for people to meet and have fellowship for God and each other.”
Students are invited by our motto to grow and flourish in every way. Religious education is a core element of our curriculum through which we encourage students to consider how they might live a life in all its fullness. It is delivered through three programmes, each of which provides an opportunity to reflect on a wide range of issues including relationships, justice, science and religion and faith traditions. In partnership with the College Chaplaincy, celebrations and reflections are also delivered for students to mark significant times in the Christian calendar.
The 10:10 RE and Ethics programme contributes to the development of the whole person, with a specific focus on the themes of Faith, Hope and Charity. As part of the programme, students reflect on the wider spiritual and moral issues they face as they become young adults and are encouraged to be ready to contribute to the common good.
The Thought for the Week and Tutorial programme builds community through the themes of Personal and Social Responsibility and Planning for the Future.
These themes provide opportunities to reflect on Catholic Social Teaching, ways to promote the common good. Thought for the Week is a prayer that is designed to provide a point for reflection as well as educating in terms of gospel themes.
The core RE programme teaches students how to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to think spiritually, ethically and theologically. It is a formal qualification which is assessed through portfolio work. It helps students to develop and be able to articulate their own faith positions and to reflect critically on the ultimate questions of life. It enables student to explore and respect different faith traditions within contemporary society and develop the skills required to engage in critical examination of and reflect upon religious belief and practice in our culture.
The daily pattern of prayer at each site is an important part of Sixth Form morning routine and ensures as part of the 10:10 Programme that all staff and students take part in daily prayer and reflection, embedding the rhythms of the prayer life of the Church. In many classes’ students lead this worship particularly well. Scripture continues to be at the heart of collective acts of worship and across daily prayers, weekly masses, thoughts for the week and whole college liturgies. The breadth and richness of the Catholic tradition was evident throughout whilst taking account of the capacity of students and staff who are different stages in their faith journey. The Chaplaincy team continue to have a high profile speaking at weekly briefings, Hall meetings and staff meetings, supporting induction, community days, open evenings, parents’ evenings, ethos, and community days. The team also continue to play an active role in school and community partnerships.
Catholic Social Teaching permeates throughout Christ The King Sixth Forms. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world. Our faith calls us to love God and love our neighbours in everything we do. Staff and students are encouraged to put the needs of those less fortunate than themselves at the centre of all they do. We encourage students to actively work as a community, to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters and to have peace in their hearts.
Although a Catholic Sixth Form, we welcome students of all faiths and none into our loving community. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we come together as a community, living by the commandment, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’. All students at Christ The King take part in our highly successful 10:10 lesson each week, which takes inspiration from the quote from the teaching of John 10:10, ‘I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full’.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is rooted in scripture, shaped by the wisdom of church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It serves as our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world.
The seven key teachings we follow are:
· Dignity
· Solidarity
· The Common Good
· The Option for the Poor
· Peace
· Creation and the Environment
· The Dignity of Work
Our faith calls us to love God and our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we strive to bring God’s justice, love, and peace into our unjust and broken world.
Christ The King Sixth Form maintains strong collaborative relationships with its local parishes to foster a vibrant faith community. Our dedicated Parish Priests make weekly visits to CTK, creating meaningful connections between staff, students and governors.
Christ The King Sixth Form regularly engages with parish activities throughout the year:
Interfaith Dialogue: Our chaplaincy team, comprising both staff and student representatives, coordinates interfaith dialogue events with parish members, strengthening spiritual understanding across diverse faith traditions.
Easter Services: Staff and students take leading roles during Easter liturgies, providing readings and musical accompaniment at local parish church, enriching these important celebrations of faith.
Coffee Mornings: Our sixth form students and staff regularly organise and host welcoming coffee mornings, providing conversation and companionship for elderly parishioners who benefit greatly from social interaction beyond their homes.
CTK proudly invited Diamond Club members to our annual Christmas Carol service, fostering meaningful relationships between generations within our faith community.
Liturgical Life: The Chaplaincy Team regularly arranges on-site Mass celebrations where parents, parish members, staff, and students gather in prayer together in our Christ The King Sixth Form chapel.
CTK St Mary’s Local Parish:
St Lawrence’s Catholic Church, Sidcup
- Fr Regis Rubaya
- Fr Allen MacDonald
CTK Emmanuel Local Parish:
Church of Our Lady, St Mary’s, Blackheath
- Fr Paul Kyne
- Fr Frazer Bellfield
CTK Aquinas Local Parish
St Mary Magdalen RC Church, Brockley
- Fr. Michael Ezenwammandu
-
Trevor AQUINAS Progressed to: University of Lancaster Course: A Level Business, ICT and English Language and Literature
“My tutors at CTK were fundamental in my academic success. They were always approachable and willing to go the extra mile. I enjoyed taking part in extracurricular activities, including leading the sixth form band and being Director of the Business Enterprise Group, Student Governor and Student Head of Hall. ”
-
Bradley AQUINAS Progressed to: University of Nottingham Course: A Levels Maths A*, Physics A* and Chemistry A*
“At Christ the King I discovered I was resilient. My teachers really pushed me to be my best, I am in their debt, thank you for believing in me.”
-
Rose AQUINAS Progressed to: The University of Warwick Course: A Level History A, Politics A, Sociology A*
“CTK was a great environment for me to learn in. I’ve really enjoyed the teaching – all my teachers have been encouraging and supportive. They put in the extra time to help with workshops and revision to ensure we did well.”
-
Owen AQUINAS Progressed to: Royal Holloway University Course: A Level Maths A, Psychology B and Biology A
“I would recommend coming to CTK as the level of support offered by the subject teachers is exceptionally good. The best thing about CTK is being part of the friendliest group of students I've ever met. I'm applying to Oxford to study Psychology. ”
-
Esosa AQUINAS Progressed to: De Montfort University Course: A Level Biology, Chemistry and Maths
“My form tutor at CTK was exceptionally supportive every day. I value the freedom and independence of controlling my own learning, staying motivated whilst also having fun. The and people and sense of community provide a great environment. I have enjoyed extra opportunities such as joining summer schools and widening participation programs and becoming a student governor. I received lots of help from the careers guidance counsellor to help me realise what I want to do after sixth form. ”
Sprules Road
Brockley
London SE4 2NL
aquinas@ctksfc.ac.uk
