At the heart of Gunnersbury lies a compassionate and faith-filled community, rooted in the Catholic Social Teaching of love and guided by the values and traditions of the Catholic Church. We are dedicated to forming young people who grow in wisdom, integrity, and service, nurtured within an environment where the Catholic principles of learning, truth, justice, respect, and community are celebrated.

 

Through the Catholic Social Teaching we are called to uphold the dignity of every person, work for the common good, stand in solidarity with others, and act as stewards of God’s creation. These teachings shape our daily life and learning, ensuring that pupils not only excel academically but also develop as compassionate, responsible, and acting in the image of God.

The Chaplaincy supports and enriches this mission, keeping Christ at the centre of all that we do. Through prayer, liturgy, retreats, acts of service, and opportunities for reflection, it inspires pupils to recognise that all we strive for is ultimately for the greater glory of God.

The model of Chaplaincy that Gunnersbury adopts is one of collaboration and collegiality.  We have nurtured a strong and supportive team of visiting priests gathered from the parishes of London as well a multitude of different countries such as France, Poland, Ireland, and Eritrea, to support the work of our Chaplain, Mrs Gardon.  Our 6^th form Laudato Si group is formed of a strong group of students who show great passion and care for the environment and social justice. All our Liturgy Leaders (Year 7-13) organise and support charity events every half term, and take part in Diocesan events and support the following: Aid to the Church in Need, Cafod, Shooting Star, Macmillian Cancer, Save the Children and Caritas.

On rotation, form groups attend Mass every Friday at lunchtime in the Chapel with visiting priests both local and from around the world. Furthermore, students are given the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during both the season of Advent and Lent. Pupils also attend their Year Group Mass each term at St. John the Evangelist Church, celebrated by Reverend Gerard Quinn. In addition, pupils can visit the Chapel every Tuesday-Thursday at 8.10am for prayers led by class appointed Liturgical Leaders. This daily practice reinforces the importance of prayer, reflection, and active participation in the life of the Church, helping pupils to nurture their faith, strengthen their sense of community, and keep Christ at the centre of their day.

Mrs Gardon emails a weekly Chaplaincy Newsletter to all parents and carers that includes a reflection on scripture and information on school-based Masses, prayers and charity events.  Every Wednesday the ‘Wednesday Word’ is also shared with parents.

Mrs Gardon organises Liturgy Leaders meetings once a week at lunchtime.  Students use this time to discuss their faith and organise events for the school community to both express their faith or practically show their care for society.

Pupils are fully involved in the planning of all school Masses and collective acts of worship by organising readers, lighting of candles, welcoming to Mass, writing and delivery of bidding prayers etc. Daily prayers in tutor groups are linked to the Church calendar. The pupils are taught a variety of prayers to use during their morning worship such as the Lectio Divina, the Examination of Conscience, Pope Francis’ Five Finger Prayer, the Jubilee Prayer and many more.

Each tutor room displays our Catholic Social Teachings and a booklet of personal class-written prayers to use. Each class has two designated Liturgy Leaders to lead the morning worship each day and support form assemblies. There are also daily acts of prayer and liturgy in form groups led by students and teachers that follow a liturgical theme.

 

Students are also involved in the organisation of Advent and Lenten services, Reconciliation, Masses, retreats and a variety of school trips including Catholic Youth Event-Flame, biennial trip to Rome, Aylesford Pilgrimage and various Masses at Westminster Cathedral.

During this Jubilee Year we have also: learnt and sung the ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ hymn at both retreats and Masses, created a ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ Mosaic by KS3 students to mark the special year, sent school prayer intentions to Rome written by all students and staff and  our School Summer Production was  ‘Godspell’ to celebrate this momentous Jubilee Year.

'The provision for prayer life, liturgy and collective worship is outstanding'

(Diocese Section 48 Inspection 2019)