Formation

Formation is a vital aspect of the Catholic life of St Gregory’s and plays a key role in supporting both staff and students on their faith journeys. We believe that effective formation enables our staff to confidently and authentically nurture the spiritual development of our students, while empowering our young people to grow in faith and take an active role in the life of the Church both at St Gregory’s and within their own parish. Through intentional formation, our students are encouraged to explore leadership opportunities as ministers of the Word, ministers of the Eucharist, altar servers, musicians and liturgical leaders, becoming confident proclaimers of faith who live out our school motto, Pro Deo, “For God the best and the greatest”.

Teachers play a crucial role in promoting and sustaining the Catholic life of the school. Their daily witness, leadership and commitment help to create a faith-filled environment in which prayer, reflection and Gospel values are visible and lived. Staff are instrumental in facilitating prayer within lessons, supporting liturgical celebrations and promoting charitable initiatives that reflect Catholic Social Teaching. To support this important responsibility, staff receive regular formation, training and guidance from the Chaplaincy Team throughout the year. New staff are also carefully supported as they join the school, ensuring they understand and are equipped to fulfil their role in the Catholic life of St Gregory’s with confidence and integrity.

Student formation is a central focus of our chaplaincy provision and provides pupils with opportunities to develop both spiritually and personally. Students who serve as Ministers of the Word are trained to proclaim Scripture clearly and reverently, helping them to deepen their understanding of God’s Word and their confidence in public worship. Altar servers receive practical and spiritual training to support the celebration of Mass, fostering reverence, responsibility and a deeper appreciation of the liturgy. Students involved in music are formed to understand the role of music in worship, using their talents to enhance prayer and lead the community both through the use of musical instruments and through singing.

Students are also supported in developing as liturgical leaders, helping to plan and lead prayer, services and Celebrations of the Word. These opportunities encourage ownership of faith, leadership skills and active participation in the spiritual life of the school. We are particularly proud of the formation of eleven of our Sixth Form students who have been initiated as Eucharistic Ministers this year. This significant step in their faith journey has been a source of great pride for the school and for their families, reflecting the strength and impact of our formation support.

Through a commitment to the formation of both staff and students, we at St Gregory’s ensure that faith is lived, celebrated and shared across the whole school community. By equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence to serve and lead, we continue to nurture a vibrant Catholic identity where all are encouraged to grow in faith and become active witnesses to the Gospel in school and beyond.