Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy is at the heart of Mayfield School and exists to serve all members of the school community including students, staff and parents.

We take very seriously our school motto “Actions not Words” and encourage our students to reach out with love and compassion to serve the people around them. You will find a number of extra-curricular activities available through the Chaplaincy and the Actions not Words programme, all designed to help girls enrich their relationships with themselves, with others, and with their God. With the exception of the Confirmation classes, which continue a journey undertaken at Christian baptism, all of the activities are welcoming of people of all faith backgrounds and none.

In This Section

Chaplaincy Ambassadors

Years 7-13.
Chaplaincy Ambassadors are members of the School Chaplaincy Team. Taken from each year group in the school, Ambassadors are called to promote and contribute to Chaplaincy activities and faith opportunities within the school, while representing the students’ views to the Chaplain. Chaplaincy Ambassadors have the opportunity to help shape communal prayer and pastoral care within the school. This is a wonderful opportunity for young women to enhance their leadership, organisational and interpersonal skills, while helping people to experience their faith in more diverse, profound and appropriate ways.

Confirmation

Years 9-13.
Our Confirmation programme, led by our Lay Chaplain and members of the school community, is open to pupils in Year 9 and above who wish to become full members of the Catholic Church. (Occasionally it may also be appropriate for Church of England members to join this programme, with a view to receiving the Sacrament in their home church. Please see the Lay Chaplain for more information.) Open to all boarders and day pupils, the programme comprises one hour of catechesis (religious instruction) per week during term time. The purpose of the programme is to help the Confirmation candidates gain a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith, Church teaching, and their responsibility as young Catholic adults. Throughout the course of the programme, girls will have opportunities to explore their prayer lives and to grow in their relationship with God.

Liturgical Ministry Training

Years 7-13
Good liturgy is a collaboration. It must be well-prepared and well-delivered. There are many roles of liturgical ministry within the school; for example, we always need new readers, altar servers, singers, sacristans and where appropriate, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Some, but by no means all, of the above roles are reserved for Catholics, but we welcome girls and staff of all faith backgrounds to contribute to our liturgies. Full training for all roles is provided, as is ongoing formation.

Mustard Seed Club

All Years
"For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20-21). Mustard Seed is an ecumenical group devoted to Bible study, which somehow always manages to veer off into random conversations and lots and lots of laughter. It's a wonderful time of community, prayer and friendship. See how the scriptures can help us make sense of our lives!

Young Christian Women

Years 9-13
This is an opportunity for students from Year 9 upwards to explore any and all aspects of Christianity in an informal and unthreatening space. Questions from those interested in, confused about, or angry at Christianity are welcomed. Those who wish to explore prayer, or how to deepen their relationship with God are equally welcomed. There is no agenda or judgment in this club- but there will be plenty of hot chocolate, laughter and learning, prayer, after which girls are as likely to find themselves learning to cross-stitch as they are to be watching a movie or playing a Kahoot about Disney films!