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 at 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
-
Tony ST MARY'S Grades achieved: A*A*BA Progressed to: University of Oxford Course: A Level Maths, Physics, Fine Art and Further Maths
“CTK has always encouraged me to aim high, which has led me to apply to the University of Oxford and I am so pleased to begin my studies there. ”
-
Mauzi ST MARY'S Grades achieved: D*DD Progressed to: University of Manchester Course: BTEC Applied Science
“During my time at CTK I have enjoyed meeting various new people, whilst engaging in classroom activities and coursework. Additionally, my teachers have provided me with excellent support throughout my studies. I am now going on to study Pharmacy at University of Manchester, in the pursuit of becoming a Pharmacist. I can’t wait to start this new journey.”
-
Precious ST MARY'S Grades achieved: D*D*D* Progressed to: City University of London Course: BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care
“Studying BTEC Health gave me the best opportunity to realise my dream. I’m incredibly appreciative of all the support and assistance I received throughout my course. From the beginning, the staff recognised my ability and didn’t give up on me.”
-
Chief ST MARY'S Grades achieved: BBB Progressed to: Queen Mary University Course: A Level Maths, Physics and Chemistry
“I really enjoyed my learning at CTK as lessons were relevant, engaging and challenging, whilst cultivating a warm, dynamic atmosphere.”
-
Nathaniel ST MARY'S Grades achieved: D*D*D Progressed to: University of Reading Course: BTEC Level 3 Creative Media
“The personalised attention and encouragement from the teachers has, without doubt, contributed to my academic success. The various resources offered by the sixth form, such as the library, extracurricular activities, and online tools have been outstanding. I would highly recommend CTK, to anyone looking for a wonderful educational experience that goes beyond academic excellence.”
-
Maddison ST MARY'S Grades achieved: BCA, Distinction* Progressed to: Degree Apprenticeship in Accounting & Finance Course: A Level Business, Maths, EPQ and BTEC IT
“CTK St Mary's is a great environment with friendly people and teachers who want us to succeed. My grades significantly improved. I have enjoyed the various trips and enrichment activities that take place at CTK.”
-
Daulat ST MARY'S Grades achieved: AAB Progressed to: Queen Mary's University Course: A Level Maths, Physics and Chemistry
“If you are willing to put in the effort to succeed, CTK is the best place to be. The sixth form provides excellent resources and a supportive community to help you reach your academic and personal goals.”
Chislehurst Road
Sidcup
London DA14 6BE
stmarys@ctksfc.ac.uk
