Chaplaincy

Jesuit schools are fortunate to be guided by a well-developed statement of the characteristic features which contribute to a recognizably Jesuit style of education:

The Characteristics of Jesuit Education, published in 1986, for worldwide use across all 2721 Jesuit schools, colleges and universities, sets out what a school needs to be and do if it is to be true to its Ignatian identity and fulfil its Jesuit mission. Our model of chaplaincy stems from this but has been specifically developed to meet the needs of students and staff at St Ignatius. There are eight key areas that we can identify:

1. Encounter with the person of Jesus Christ

2. Personal philosophy of life

3. Prayer

4. Worship

5. Social outreach

6. Leadership

7. Involvement in the life of the Church

8. Pastoral care

The College aims to assist each individual student in their spiritual development. The range of opportunities offered in the furtherance of this aim increases as students proceed through the school, as does the degree of choice.

“The spiritual quest is quite simply that of recognising the God who comes to meet us, and of having a free heart with which to respond to that meeting” - Archbishop Vincent Nichols

Social Outreach

The Chaplaincy and whole school are involved in a number of social outreach initiatives. The students join campaigns, raise awareness of and help to plan and run fundraisers throughout the year for local and international charities.

During Advent 2023 the student Faith in Action group chose two charities to support -

To support the Catholic Children's Society the Faith in Action group held a bake sale, a Christmas accessory day and had a retiring collection during our Advent Carol Service.

To encourage students to donate to the Foodbank form classes were given an Advent Giving Calendar containing a list of urgently need items.   

During the 2022-23 academic year each year group chose a charity to support:

Year 7: Jesuit Missions

Year 8: North London Hospice

Year 9: Nightingale Cancer Support Centre

Year 10: Jesuit Refugee Service UK

Year 11: Catholic Children's Society

Sixth Form: Cardinal Hume Centre and Women at the Well 

We also have regular collections supporting Enfield Foodbank for which we have our own drop off point.

In November, Year 7 students joined in Jesuit Missions COP 27 - Walk. Pray. Change campaign. The challenge was to walk a mile, pray for their partners in South Sudan and for a positive outcome to the COP 27. The miles walked were added to the grand total with the target being 3,677 miles, the distance between Glasgow and Sharm el Sheikh.

During Advent we joined with Exodus Youthworx and other local schools and organisations in the Love Christmas campaign - providing Christmas Hampers for families in the local community. 

 

Leadership

Students lead the daily Examen. Those who attend Wednesday prayer lead the Rosary and Stations of the Cross. During the liturgies throughout the year students take an active role in reading, serving and distributing Holy Communion as Eucharistic Ministers. Older students train and teach the younger members to Altar Serve. Students also lead assemblies.

Each year the College Captain and Vice Captains attend a Leadership Conference. The conference is run by the Jesuit Institute and is hosted by one of the Jesuit schools.  This provides the students with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through a variety of mediums including, debating, critical thinking and preparing and delivering presentations.  It also gives them an opportunity to meet other Jesuit head boys and head girls, and to make new friends.

Our Fatih in Action group choses the charities we support, leads Acts of Worship to raiase awareness and fundraising.

In previous years, members of the Sixth Form have participated in the CAFOD Young Leadership programme which trains students to be CAFOD Ambassadors in school, leading assemblies and fundraising for their different campaigns.

 

Involvement in the life of the church

We have direct links with local parishes and the London Jesuit community, and priests from the local deanery and the Jesuit community reguarly visit the College. Every other year one of the monthly deanery meetings is held at the College.

Local and Jesuit priests offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent. 

A number of students and staff have been trained as Eucharistic Ministers and many of the students are readers and servers at Mass.

Students have the opportunity to visit Westminster Cathedral and other religious sites of interest throughout the year.

Encounter with the person of Jesus Christ

The whole school day offers students and staff opportunities to encounter Jesus Christ. There are set times of prayer and reflection. Each piece of work that the students prepare is marked at the top with AMDG, Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam, (for the greater glory of God). 

The College also makes provision for the students to take time out from their busy schedules and to have a day of retreat/reflection with their individual form classes. During this time the students learn about mediation and personal prayer and are provided with the opportunity to experience Ignatian meditation in order to encounter Christ.

Personal philosophy of life

Jesuit education places an emphasis on, and assists in, developing the role of each individual pupil as a member of the human community. Students, teachers and all within the community are encouraged to build a unity with others that goes beyond race, culture and religion.

Jesuit education also stresses the importance of understanding the context in which teaching and learning takes place, and the need to constantly evaluate the power and value of what has been taught. 

Students and staff are encouraged to continually find ways to develop and improve. The Magis (more) underpins all aspects of learning and development. This is the Jesuit philosophy linked to Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam (for the greater glory of God), by doing more for God the rest of society benefits. The pursuit of academic excellence is appropriate in a Jesuit school, but only within the larger context of human excellence. The success of Jesuit education is measured not in terms of academic performance of students or professional competence of teachers, but rather in terms of human flourishing.

Across the world, Jesuit schools seek to form the spirit of their pupils through reflection and the art of discernment, as schools of prayer and faith. There is an attentive care and knowledge of our pupils as individuals ‘cura personalis’ (the whole person) which allows them to flourish and provides support and encouragement when life at home or at school is difficult.

Latest Tweets

@st_ignatius Sep - 16
From inspiring classroom activities and student performances to guided tours led by our exceptional pupils, the evening showcased everything that makes our school community so special. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the night a sucess.
@st_ignatius Sep - 11
Today, our whole school community gathered for the Academic Mass. As our students begin another year of learning, we encourage them to make the most of every opportunity, challenge themselves to grow, and strive for excellence in all that they do.  
@st_ignatius Sep - 10
There is still time to book a place at our Open Evening next Tuesday. St Ignatius College is one of the top performing secondary schools in Enfield. Take the opportunity to visit and see if we are the right school for your son. You DO NOT have to be Catholic to attend.
@st_ignatius Sep - 10
Welcome back to all our students, staff and families as we begin another exciting school year at St Ignatius College! A particularly warm welcome goes to our new Year 7 who officially joined our school community this week during their Service of Enrolment.  
@st_ignatius Aug - 20
Congratulations to all our GCSE students on an outstanding set of results today! Your hard work, determination and resilience have truly paid off, and we are incredibly proud of everything you have achieved.  
@st_ignatius Aug - 20
Sixth Form Enrolment will be open tomorrow 09:00-11:00. We have a limited number of spaces available in certain subjects and will allocate them on a first come first served basis.
@st_ignatius Aug - 19
We congratulate students who are progressing to some especially exciting destinations. For students receiving GCSE results tomorrow and considering their next step, our message is simple: wherever your ambitions lie, we'll support you to achieve them.  
@st_ignatius Aug - 19
We are delighted to celebrate another year of excellent A Level results, with students achieving impressive outcomes across a wide range of subjects. Thinking about your post-16 options? There's still time to join us.  
@st_ignatius Aug - 13
Congratulations to our Year 13s who have received outstanding results in their A Levels today! We are so proud of you and what you will achieve as you build on your Ignatian foundation. Keep in touch.  
@st_ignatius Jul - 31
Today is the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Have a blessed day, everyone.
@st_ignatius Jul - 21
Booking is now open for our Year 7 Open Evening being held in September  buff.ly/MvKWuy6 Our boys achieve exceptionally well and they are known and valued as individuals. Visit us on Tuesday 15 September to see if this is the right place for your son
@st_ignatius Jul - 21
Throughout his work experience placement at Exquisite Touches, Ibraheem enjoyed a rewarding and creative week. He was involved in a variety of projects including creating branded documents and spreadsheets,using industry tools and equipment and developing valuable hands-on skills