Chapel And Assemblies
Pastoral Care > Chapel And Assemblies
The school is a Christian foundation, and Chapel services are an important and regular part of school life. The school day starts with a Chapel service or assembly at 8.35 each morning except Monday, and on Wednesday mornings there are separate assemblies for the Third and the Fourth Forms. All boarders also attend a full choral service on Sundays - Mattins on the first Sunday of each term, and on other Sundays an evening service which is usually, but not always, Evensong. The Eucharist is celebrated each Sunday morning, and there are several further celebrations in the week. Parents, friends of the school, and members of the public are welcome to attend any of the Sunday services.
Boys who wish to be confirmed are prepared for Confirmation at the school. The annual Confirmation service is held in the Michaelmas Term just before half-term, and a substantial number of boys are confirmed each year. On Remembrance Sunday a school Service of Remembrance is held at 10.45 a.m. There are two Carol Services at the end of each Michaelmas Term, one for the school and one for parents and friends.
Each year a visiting speaker gives a series of Lenten addresses. The Christian Fellowship meets once
a week, and there is usually an outside speaker.
Boys who belong to other faith traditions may with the Headmaster's permission attend their own
places of worship at the weekend. All boys attend Chapel services and other assemblies on
weekdays.
A virtue of the school's size (a maximum of just over 700 boys) is that the whole school community can gather together under one roof. The school day begins with such an assembly on most weekdays: each week there are two Chapel services, a congregational practice, and a talk from a member of staff. Once a week there are separate assemblies for the Third and the Fourth Forms, and a Headmaster's assembly is held from time to time.
The work of the Chapel is supported by an association of Friends and Patrons. A leaflet setting out the aims of the association, with an invitation to join, is sent to new parents each year.