Chaplaincy
A Chaplain’s Perspective
Some may argue that the relentless creep of secularism renders the nurture of faith and spirituality an outdated, outmoded relic of history, perhaps especially in the education and personal development of our children in the 21st century. At Headington, however, we choose to counter that view with a strong and committed sense of purpose in our school culture and ethos which aims to grow the whole person – pupil and staff alike, regardless of race or creed. We are a diverse, international community and seek to celebrate and nurture those of any background or faith rather than insistently prescribe a particular path.
As human beings we are not simply driven by the pursuit of knowledge, skill and technical ability but also by a need to know our place in the world; by a desire to belong to, and identify with a community; by an impulse to contribute to the environment in which we find ourselves – to people, places, beauty and freedom. As whole people we should constantly be aware of that aspect of ourselves which is not scientific, academic and measurable, but reflective, emotional and spiritual.
At Headington we cherish the rich Christian heritage entrusted to us by our founders almost 100 years ago. This is certainly represented in the words we might choose to speak, but perhaps more importantly in the way in which we choose to live and work together throughout the year. There are many opportunities in school for us to engage our heart and minds in this way:
• At our assembly programme each morning we seek to teach, encourage and develop wise and careful thinking about our lives and our world, as well as the opportunity to worship and pray as a community.
• Each Sunday the boarding community gathers together for a time of singing, sharing, laughter, listening and prayer.
• At Christmas we gather as a school for the annual Carol Service – in Christchurch Cathedral as a senior school and All Saints Church in Headington as a prep school. Both events are marked by wondrous singing from the school choirs.
• In the Spring term there is an opportunity for those girls who choose, to publicly declare their Christian faith at a Service of Confirmation held in school and led by the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt. Revd. John Pritchard.
• Foundation Day in July is an opportunity for the preparatory and senior schools to come together to give thanks for all that has been achieved over the previous months of the academic year.
I began in September 2009 as the school’s first full-time ordained Chaplain and I have experienced a deep and warm welcome from staff and students alike. I have found Headington to be a place of tremendous energy and verve, bursting with desire to see gifts and talents expressed and cultivated to the maximum. Personally, I take my own contribution to that ambition incredibly seriously as I seek to think, speak, encourage and pray from my perspective as chaplain and pastor to the community.
May you too find Headington to be a place where you can flourish in all the gifts and talents that you bring to life.