Catholic Life & Chaplaincy

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." – Philippians 4:13

At Coloma, our Catholic faith is at the heart of who we are. It shapes our values, inspires our actions and gives purpose to the way we learn, live and grow together.

We believe that every young person is uniquely created by God, with their own gifts, talents and potential. Our desire is to help each student discover these gifts, develop a strong sense of who they are and grow into the person God is calling them to be.

Faith is a lifelong journey, and every individual's experience is different. Through our Catholic Life and Chaplaincy, we seek to accompany and encourage our students and staff wherever they may be on that journey. Whether through prayer, worship, reflection, friendship, acts of kindness or service to others, we offer opportunities to explore faith, deepen our relationship with God and discover how faith can shape the lives we lead.

Our school vision reflects this commitment:

“We will ensure each pupil and learner can succeed in all areas of life and leave Coloma as a young adult prepared to make a positive contribution to a global society, fulfilling their God-given vocation.”

Inspired by the example of Jesus Christ and the charism of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, who founded our school, we strive to create a community where everyone feels valued, supported and encouraged to flourish.

Our Chaplaincy

Walking together in faith

The Chaplaincy is at the heart of our Catholic community. Its role is to accompany students and staff through the joys and challenges of life, offering opportunities for prayer, reflection, spiritual growth and a deeper personal relationship with God.

Led by our Lay Chaplain, working closely with the Religious Education Department and our Student Faith Leaders, Chaplaincy helps bring our Catholic mission to life throughout the school.

It is a welcoming presence within Coloma, providing space to ask questions, explore beliefs, celebrate faith and find support when it is needed. Through a rich programme of worship, retreats, charitable initiatives and opportunities for service, we encourage our young people to put their faith into action and recognise the difference they can make in the lives of others.

Prayer and Worship

Faith in our daily lives

Prayer and worship are woven into the everyday life of Coloma. They provide opportunities to pause, reflect, give thanks and place God at the centre of all that we do.

Our programme of collective worship enables students to encounter the teachings of Christ, reflect on the Gospel and consider how their faith can guide their choices and actions.

Throughout the school:

Morning Prayer: Each day begins with prayer during Form Time, connecting students with the seasons of the Church's year, significant feast days and important events in our school and wider world.
Celebration of the Word: Once a week, students in Years 7–11 come together in their year groups for a student-led service, usually reflecting on the Gospel from the previous Sunday. These celebrations provide an opportunity to listen, reflect and consider how the Word of God speaks to our lives today.
Sixth Form Worship: Our Sixth Form students gather weekly for an assembly which includes collective prayer and reflection, helping them to explore their faith and consider their responsibilities as young adults and future leaders. Sixth Form students are also welcome to participate in Celebration of the Word weekly.
Prayer in Lessons: Coloma students worked together to create prayers for the subjects studied at Key Stages 3 and 4. These prayers, alongside the Coloma Prayer, help us recognise God's presence in every aspect of learning and encourage us to see our education as something meaningful and purposeful.
Weekly Mass: Mass takes place in the School Chapel every Tuesday at 8am and is open to all students and staff. Each week, a different Tutor Group takes responsibility for the celebration, helping students develop confidence and a deeper understanding of the Eucharist.

We also come together to celebrate the significant moments of the Church's year and our school journey. These include Welcome Masses for Years 7 and 12, liturgies and Celebrations of the Word during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, Leavers' Masses for Years 11 and 13, and our end-of-year Masses of Thanksgiving.

Our School Chapel is a special place within the life of Coloma. Open before school and during lunchtimes, it offers a peaceful space where students and staff can spend time in quiet prayer, reflection or simply stillness. Additional opportunities for communal prayer are arranged throughout the year, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during Advent and Lent.

Faith in Action

Living our values through charity

At Coloma, we believe that faith is most meaningful when it finds expression in the way we care for others.

Inspired by the example of Jesus, we encourage our students to look beyond themselves, recognise the needs of others and respond with generosity, compassion and kindness.

Throughout the year, our community supports a range of charitable initiatives, both locally and globally. Recent activities have included collecting essential items for a local foodbank during Advent, taking part in CAFOD's Walk for Lent and raising funds for the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, the Sickle Cell Society and Coloma School in Uganda.

These opportunities help students understand the importance of social responsibility, solidarity and standing alongside those who may be facing hardship or injustice.

We want our young people to recognise that even the smallest act of kindness can make a meaningful difference.

Service to Others

Making a difference

Service is an important expression of our Catholic identity. We encourage our students to use their gifts and talents not simply for their own benefit, but in the service of others.

Throughout their time at Coloma, students have opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the wider school community. This includes supporting younger pupils with literacy, leading sporting and extracurricular activities and helping others to develop their confidence and skills.

One particularly special opportunity comes in Year 12, when all students have the opportunity to become involved in our HCPT service group, Group 703. Each Easter, the group travels on pilgrimage to Lourdes, where students have the privilege of accompanying and supporting others.

This is a powerful experience of faith, friendship and service, helping young people to develop empathy, humility and an appreciation of the dignity of every individual.

Through these experiences, we hope our students come to understand that leadership is not simply about what we achieve, but about how we serve and support those around us.

Prayer and Community

Growing together in faith

Prayer brings us together as a community, connecting us with one another, with God and with the needs of the wider world.

Our weekly Rosary Group meets to pray for our school community and for the intentions of others. It provides an opportunity for students and staff to come together in prayer, reflect on the life of Mary and deepen their understanding of this important Catholic tradition.

We also invite all members of the wider Coloma community , students, parents, staff, former pupils and friends of the school, to join us in praying the Rosary using the CAFOD resource.

We believe that praying together strengthens our sense of belonging, builds unity and reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.

Growing in faith. Living with purpose.

Our Catholic identity is not defined by a single prayer, celebration or act of service. It is expressed in the way we live our lives every day: in the kindness we show, the courage with which we face challenges, the respect we give to others and the difference we seek to make in the world.

At Coloma, we want every young person to leave us with more than knowledge and qualifications. We hope they leave with a strong sense of their own worth, an understanding of their responsibilities to others, the confidence to use their gifts and the inspiration to live lives of faith, hope and love.

Our ambition is that every student discovers not only what they can achieve, but who they can become and how they can make a difference.