Chaplaincy

At Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Academy we have a full time Lay Chaplain, Ms H. Rigby, who bears witness to the Catholic life and mission of the school and is a positive role model for pupils, treating all with love, care and respect. She is visible and approachable around the academy and treats every member of staff and pupil as an individual, demonstrating love and care through every interaction.  

Welcome from our Chaplain, Helen Rigby: 

 I am really pleased to be appointed as chaplain at St Edmund Arrowsmith Academy from September 2024. I have extensive experience, working in secondary education for over 20 years and I am looking forward to working at SEACA. I am passionate about Catholic education for all students and am excited to bring my experience and skills to SEACA to serve the community and accompany all staff and students in living out their faith every day. 

My vision for Chaplaincy at SEACA is to create a vibrant faith filled community, which serves all pupils and staff, ensuring that Jesus Christ is at the centre of everything we do and say. The mission statement of the school “I have come so that you may life to the full” (John 10:10) resonates with me as it is very important to allow young people to be the very best person God created them to be and to know they are unique and loved by God. I hope to provide opportunities for all students to grow and develop in their faith. 

I will lead staff and students in prayer, liturgy and reflection, there will be Masses organised throughout the year and we will observe and celebrate important occasions throughout the liturgical calendar, especially Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.  

In the Oscar Romero prayer it tells us that “We plant the seeds that one day will grow” and I really believe that the Chaplain does this is schools with young people, giving them foundations in faith, promoting love of God and love of themselves. The impact of good chaplaincy can last long after students have left the school. 

With love and prayers, 

Helen 

We have a pupil led Chaplaincy Group at Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy. These pupils meet every other week and are active in planning and delivering prayer and liturgy to their peers.  

For those pupils who are not part of the Pupil Chaplaincy Group, opportunities are afforded to engage with the Chaplaincy provision across the school, for example through Retreats, Chaplaincy led sessions at key points in the liturgical year, Mass and access to the Chaplaincy room provision before school, at break time and at lunchtimes. This ensures that all pupils are able to access Chaplaincy at SEACA.    

The invitation to all Year 8 pupils to take the Sacrament of Confirmation is supported by the Chaplaincy provision. For example, the Chaplain has liaised with the RE department to facilitate sacramental preparation sessions during their RE lessons and the Chaplain co-ordinated a full year group session led by Animate Youth Team around the Sacrament of Confirmation.  

The Gardening Club is run by the chaplain and another staff member to promote care for the environment. A core value of our school inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si.