“Where every child is known, heard, seen and loved.”

At St Paul’s Academy, Catholic Life is at the heart of all we do. Every aspect of school life reflects our shared mission to live out the Gospel through prayer, service, and community.

Throughout the year, our students and staff take part in regular liturgies, collective worship, and assemblies linked to the Church’s liturgical calendar. Each gathering offers moments for reflection, prayer, and celebration, helping us to grow in faith together. Weekly staff prayer and our Friday Rosary at 10:40 a.m. are open to all and form a cherished rhythm of our week.

Our focus on Catholic Social Teaching shapes everything from curriculum links to charitable action. This term’s themes: Human Dignity, Solidarity, and Option for the Poor, invite our community to reflect on how faith inspires us to serve others. Displays, tutor reflections, and student voice ensure these values remain visible and lived across the school.

Student leadership plays a central role. Our Year 9 Luminaries and Year 7 Mini Vinnies help to lead prayer, plan charitable initiatives, and model faith in action through small acts of kindness. Together they have supported our school food bank, created Advent hampers for local families, and visiting a nearby care home to share carols and companionship.

Our Justice & Peace Group, meeting weekly in the chapel, continues to champion fairness, respect, and dialogue. Members recently attended the Diocesan Beginning of the School Year Mass at St George’s Cathedral and met the Archbishop, a memorable reminder of our place within the wider diocesan family.

The Peace Garden, with its statue of Our Lady and new planting, provides a tranquil space for prayer and quiet reflection for students and staff alike.

At St Paul’s Academy, Catholic Life is not an extra programme, it is the foundation of who we are: a community rooted in faith, hope, and love.