Christian Life @ SMSJ

Our Churches

SMSJ has very strong connections with both of its foundation churches: St Mary and Christ Church, Hendon and St John, West Hendon. Clergy from both churches are prominent and impactful in all areas of school life including on the governing body, via their contributions to the curriculum, worship and the school’s moral and spiritual provision.

Our clergy support with:

• The vision, planning, delivery and evaluation of Collective worship
• Marking and celebrating key festivals and events in the life of the school both in school and church
• The delivery and evaluation of the RE curriculum including opportunities like ‘Ask a Priest’ during students’ GCSE study
• Developing additional opportunities for spiritual engagement including our ‘The Word’ Bible study and our delivery of the CofE Difference Project

Students at SMSJ are at home in our local parish churches. They are a place of peace, stillness and reflection for all our students, irrespective of their faith background. Our churches, clergy and local church communities are integral to SMSJ and its deeply Christian identity.

To learn more about our churches please visit their websites here:

St Mary and Christ Church

St John's West Hendon

 

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Worship @ SMSJ

Worship at SMSJ is invitational and inclusive. It seeks to inspire, challenge and respond to the needs, passions and concerns of our students, our community and the world. The style of worship differs depending on whether worship occurs in a classroom setting or within a larger gathering of a year group or phase.  As well as being led by clergy, staff and students worship life is enhanced through the contributions of visiting speakers and organisations such as Pathways.  

Click here to learn more about worship at SMSJ.

 

Faith and Action

Inspired by our value of service we are committed to opportunities for students to learn more about their faith through action. This includes charitable works and engagement with charities to learn more about the causes and potential solutions for social injustice as well as engagement with student leadership initiatives such as Archbishops’ Young Leader Award across both primary and secondary.

We also consider the transformative hope that faith offers and how values and religion are instrumental in thinking about history, conflict, difference and identity. This is achieved via the Difference Project in Year 7, faith and careers talks and the school’s unwavering commitment to a rich education informed by expert voices. For example, engagement with Holocaust education and the Anne Frank Foundation, the First Give project, the Message Trust, Stand Up! the Jack Petchey Foundation, Just One Tree, and local religious groups. Primary have also recently forged links with the Islamic Gatton Primary School working on a joint project on faith and sustainability.

 

Our Team

All colleagues at SMSJ are integral in their support and leadership of the aspects of our school life that nurture and explore our Christian identity informed by our school vision and values. Leaders in both phases work together in ensuring spiritual development across an all through setting.

Mark Chapman, our secondary part time chaplain, has recently taken up post. This new role marks SMSJ’s continued commitment to enhancing its spiritual provision for all members of the school community. As well as working closely with ambassadors, running ‘The Word’ and being a pastoral presence Mark organises events and curates opportunities for students to reflect on key events in the Christian calendar.