Chapel is an important part of life at St Mary's. The Christian principles of trust, co-operation and concern for others are discussed and strongly encouraged amongst the students and are central to the chapel services and Religious Education programme.
Students have Chapel once in each six day cycle and attend Chapel in their year groups. The School Chaplain takes the Chapel Service for boarders on a Sunday morning or midweek in the evening, as well as the year group services.
The focus of Chapel is to have students gain a greater understanding of the Anglican traditions, whilst developing greater compassion for those in need and understanding the importance of love, trust, honour and responsibility. Chapel also provides an opportunity to extend what has been discussed in Religious Education classes which are also held once a cycle. Issues relevant to the girls are also the focus of attention and discussion. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to Chapel to broaden the girls' horizons and develop a better understanding of different groups' needs.
Rise in the strength of God,
And face life’s uphill way,
The steps which other feet have trod
You tread today.
Press onward, upward still,
To win your way at last,
With better hope and stronger will
Than in the past.
Life’s work more nobly wrought,
Life’s race more bravely run,
Life’s daily conflict faced and fought,
Life’s duty done.
Almighty God, the fountain of all true knowledge and wisdom, by whose grace this foundation of St Mary’s has progressed and prospered: make this School as a field which you bless, that whatsoever things are true, pure, lovely and of good report may here forever flourish and abide. Make it to be loved and honoured by all its members as an instrument of your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
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