Students at our academy are supported in their personal development in many ways and a key role in spiritual development and ethos development is played by Cristo, our Chaplain. Our chapel is a place of calm and tranquility where students are able to be supported to take a moment and rest and reflect on faith and what is important to them.

Cristo is available to speak informally with the students about matters of faith and advice and guidance.

I grew up and went to school in Mansfield and didn’t became a Christian until age 25. It is now my privilege to be part of a historic provision of spiritual care and pastoral guidance which goes back to Queen Elizabeth I.

Our chaplain helps to plan and lead collective worship which is an important part of our academy. Inclusive collective worship is time we prioritise to gather as a year group and to reflect on how we can make our vision come alive. We think deeply about our values which helps transform our vision into something that students experience, it creates our Christian ethos and impacts on our school culture.

Collective worship is relevant to our students’ life and learning. Students have considered about diverse historical and contemporary Christian figures who have demonstrated their deep Christian faith and definitively displayed our core values.

Students also look at how Christ is the core of our core values. Looking at the life and teachings of Jesus our students are helped to understand how he lived and what he taught and how to connect with God. Our values are linked with the Christian faith but no-one is excluded, our values are chosen because they are valuable to all. Inclusive collective worship means that we can come as we are there is something important for everyone to take away.

I have personally experienced the difference faith in Jesus and Christian values can make and now its my turn to give back to the younger generation by supporting the wellbeing of all students from all backgrounds at QEA.

Cristo is joined by a chaplaincy team representing many local churches and charities. These volunteers take part in collective worship and run clubs for the students. We also have Mrs Smart and Mrs Williams who are active in the Church of England and faithfully support students with their faith and personal development.

All these experiences help students to live out our values and for us to be a school linked to the local community and to the local churches.

As a Christian community, we recognise the vital importance of continued support, nurture and spiritual strength. Our Chaplain welcomes your contact via email. Please do not hesitate to contact him at: CRodriguez@queenelizabeths-ac.org.uk

Videos

Student ethos

Collective worship – nurture

Collective worship – nativity

Collective worship – equality and diversity

Collective worship – knowledge and wisdom

Collective worship – Harvest

Joy matters to us

Joy matters to us – part 2

Joy matter to us – part 3

A thank you from Mansfield Baptist Church

Reflection on our core value of forgiveness and reconciliation

Father God,
You are the God of the individual and you are the God of families.
You know each of us by name and you know each hair on our head.
We ask you in these times where we feel isolated and frustrated the you would give us peace in our hearts, protection for our bodies and provision for our livelihood.
For individuals, families and our community.

Thank you father that you are the God of forgiveness and reconciliation.
We pray you would heal our hearts and our nation. Bring peace to our homes in these testing times.
Lord, when we are uncertain help us to return to what we can be certain of.
Help us to remember your steadfast love for us.
Help us to hold in our hearts the great sacrifice of Jesus who gave his life for us to never be alone.
For us to be reconciled to our Father.
Thank you God that you love each of us personally.
Thank you that you have a plan for each of us.
May that love become the strength we need to continue.
To continue to love and learn and to be brave for ourselves our families and our future.

Amen

Lent 2022

We are marking Lent this year with a recycling commitment.

Staff and students will be spending the Lent period collecting and recycling clear plastic bottles as part of a wider climate and sustainability project launching this spring/summer.

Lent 2022 recycling commitment

Lent 2021

To mark Lent this year, we shared with our parents, carers, and students, thoughts for them to reflect on each day.

We heard from 40 people connected to the academy – one for every day of Lent. Here we bring together these reflections in one document for you to download and keep.

40 days, 40 voices – Queen Elizabeth’s reflections over Lent 2021