Chaplaincy Team
Faith and Leadership in Action
Together, the Peace and Justice Society and Caritas Ambassadors form a dynamic Chaplaincy Team that strengthens the spiritual life of our school. Whether leading worship, organising charitable events, or inspiring their peers, these students embody the essence of Gospel values. Their dedication to service and leadership fosters a compassionate, inclusive community at St. Edmund’s, where faith and action work hand in hand.
Peace and Justice Society: Empowering Leaders of Tomorrow
The Peace and Justice Society is a student-led group that develops confident, independent leaders who embrace faith and action. Each week, they lead the school’s Gospel Assembly every Monday morning, using the structured steps of Collective Worship to guide our community in prayer, reflection, and response.
The Steps of Collective Worship
- We Gather: The society begins by creating a welcoming and prayerful space, incorporating liturgical colours, a prayer focus table, music, and the Sign of the Cross to bring everyone together as part of God’s family.
- We Listen: A Gospel passage is shared, inviting the school community to hear God’s message and reflect on its meaning.
- We Respond: The team leads the school in responding to the Word of God through prayer, songs, creative actions, or moments of reflection.
- We Go Forth: Finally, they inspire the school to carry the Good News into daily life, encouraging acts of kindness, campaigns, or personal reflections.
In addition to leading assemblies, the Peace and Justice Society also takes their mission into classrooms, visiting weekly to guide Collective Worship for individual classes. This ensures every child feels engaged and connected to their faith journey.
Our Duties Are:
- Plan and lead Gospel Assemblies using the steps of Collective Worship.
- Guide weekly Collective Worship sessions in classrooms.
- Promote justice, inclusivity, and compassion throughout the school.
- Organise charitable initiatives to support those in need.
- Collaborate with local schools, churches, and community groups.
By empowering students to lead in faith and action, the Peace and Justice Society nurtures future leaders who live out the Gospel.
Caritas Ambassadors: Living the Gospel in Service
The Caritas Ambassadors are student leaders dedicated to making faith tangible through social action. Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, they take on projects to address social justice needs both locally and globally, encouraging the school community to act with compassion and generosity.
Our Duties Are:
- Learn and share Catholic Social Teaching with the school community.
- Identify social justice needs and lead projects to address them.
- Raise awareness about local and global challenges.
- Organise and inspire charitable initiatives.
- Reflect on faith and action through prayer and worship.
- Foster inclusivity and respect in all aspects of school life.
Through their work, the Caritas Ambassadors demonstrate how faith and action come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Caritas Ambassadors’ Inspiring Visit to Westminster Cathedral
At St. Edmund’s Catholic Primary School, prayer and service are central to our ethos, and this was beautifully reflected during the recent Caritas Ambassadors Festival at Westminster Cathedral. Our Caritas Ambassadors had the privilege of participating in this special event, which brought together students from across the Diocese to celebrate their faith and service.
The festival, held on Tuesday, 21st May, was led by Bishop Paul McAleenan, the Bishop for Caritas, and included a moving liturgy in the magnificent setting of Westminster Cathedral. The service was a time of prayer, reflection, and thanksgiving, recognising the incredible work of Caritas Ambassadors in promoting justice, compassion, and faith in action.
A Celebration of Prayer and Service
The day was a powerful reminder of how prayer inspires acts of service and leadership in our ambassadors:
- Prayerful Liturgy: The liturgy celebrated the achievements of our ambassadors and their commitment to living out the Gospel values.
- Faith in Action: The event highlighted the importance of prayer in driving acts of kindness and service within the school and wider community.
- Spiritual Growth: The sacred setting of Westminster Cathedral provided a profound opportunity for our ambassadors to reflect on their faith and mission.
A Day to Remember
In addition to the liturgy, our ambassadors had the chance to explore the awe-inspiring Cathedral, learning about its rich history and spiritual significance. The visit strengthened their understanding of Catholic tradition and deepened their connection to the wider Church community.
Living Our Prayer Ethos
At St. Edmund’s, events like this reaffirm our commitment to nurturing faith-filled leaders who embody prayer and service in their daily lives. We are immensely proud of our Caritas Ambassadors for their dedication and representation of our school’s values.
Let us continue to pray for our ambassadors as they take their experiences from this inspiring day into their ongoing work of faith in action.
Student Leadership at St. Edmund’s Catholic Primary School
At St. Edmund’s, we believe in nurturing the leadership potential of every child. As part of our commitment to fostering responsibility, confidence, and service, we provide a variety of opportunities for students to develop and showcase their leadership skills.
Our Chaplaincy Team forms the heart of our school’s spiritual life, with roles such as the Peace and Justice Society and Caritas Ambassadors enabling students to lead in faith, prayer, and social action. These teams embody our ethos of living out Gospel values through action, reflection, and service.
Beyond the Chaplaincy Team, we are proud to offer additional leadership roles that allow children to explore their unique talents and contribute meaningfully to our school community:
- Digital Leaders: Supporting the school’s use of technology and helping peers with digital literacy.
- Junior Road Safety Officers: Promoting road safety awareness and initiatives within the school.
- Eco Team/Head Gardeners: Leading environmental projects and encouraging sustainable practices.
- SEND Ambassadors: Advocating for inclusivity and supporting peers with special educational needs.
- Prayer and Liturgy Leaders: Organising and guiding moments of worship, reflection, and prayer.
- Peer Mediators/School Council Members: Helping to resolve conflicts and ensuring student voices are heard.
- Healthy Schools Ambassadors: Promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school.
- Art Ambassadors: Inspiring creativity and showcasing artistic talents.
- Language Captains: Encouraging language learning and celebrating linguistic diversity.
- Play Engagement Zone Team: Supporting younger students in play and fostering positive interactions.
- Prefects and Librarians: Supporting the smooth running of the school and promoting a love for reading.
Each of these roles helps children develop key skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and responsibility, preparing them to become confident leaders in both their school and wider communities.
At St. Edmund’s, leadership is more than just a title—it is an opportunity to grow, inspire, and make a difference. By linking leadership to our Christian values, we ensure that our students lead with compassion, respect, and a sense of service.