Parents-Information-Handbook-2016-2017

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Chaplaincy Group
Section 4 - Life Beyond the Classroom
Chaplaincy, Voluntary Service and Combined Cadet Forces
Chaplaincy seeks to support the Christian life at the heart of the College, working broadly with staff and
students in three ways. Firstly, it seeks to promote an understanding of the faith. Weekly Preparatory
School, Wednesday Year Group and Friday Senior School Assemblies help to keep Rosminian
spirituality at the fore, while candidates for Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation all take
Sacramental preparation. Secondly, Chaplaincy seeks to celebrate the faith, running class masses,
retreats, and celebrating weekly Masses during the week and on Sundays. Thirdly, Chaplaincy seeks to
facilitate the living of the faith in the many and varied charitable causes supported by Ratcliffe staff,
students and families. Led by Chaplaincy and Charity prefects, the student body is given many
opportunities to use their talents to make positive contributions to their communities close at hand and
further afield.
Voluntary Service
The School is keen to encourage pupils to involve themselves with its Voluntary Service programme,
reinforcing the message that service to others is also of benefit to those who serve. Many students give
their free time to help others, both within the School community and beyond. Some students provide
assistance for staff and younger children in the Preparatory School. Others help to maintain the Peace
Garden, sort and distribute items for the Mother Teresa charity, help with the HCPT pilgrimage to
Lourdes, help younger pupils through a St Vincent de Paul group or coach sport to other pupils.
Voluntary service also takes place outside the School whenever possible. For example, each week a
group of Sixth Form pupils visits Syston Community Centre to help local adults with learning difficulties.
Combined Cadet Forces (CCF)
Pupils from Year 9 upwards are invited to join the Combined Cadet Force. It meets every Tuesday
evening and on occasional weekends. There are Field Days, involving visits to army training areas, and
regular opportunities for RAF cadets to go flying.
The CCF has separate sections for Army and RAF. Students can open up new and exciting challenges for
themselves, take on positions of responsibility and improve their leadership skills. They can become
involved in learning how to operate a store and other administrative tasks, or planning and taking lessons
on the ‘recruit’ or ‘advanced’ courses. Older students in the CCF can complete a BTEC award which
focuses on testing the tasks carried out within the cadet force.
The CCF can be linked into the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme as many of the skills overlap.
Throughout the year there are opportunities to participate in hill walking, rock climbing, canoeing, sailing
and other skills such as military exercises, first aid and the use of radios, to name but a few. The
Combined Cadet Force is not just for those interested in a military career - it is for everyone.
Section 4 - Chaplaincy Group, Voluntary Service and CCF - Senior School