Catholic Life & Mission

At St Robert’s we want pupils and staff to feel comfortable to explore their relationship with God, whilst realising that the members of our school community come from different backgrounds, beliefs and faiths. Our school is a place, where all are valued equally and belong. We strive to create an environment where pupils can encounter the love that God has for each of them. With Christ at the centre, our school seeks to exemplify faith in action, working for justice and compassion, manifest in acts of charity and kindness. We work for those in need, and instil an ethos of care, kindness, and respect. As an inclusive family, we seek to help and care for the most vulnerable and marginalised. Our community is built upon values, which are inspired by the Gospel and the Church. Our values are visible in the environment, relationships, interactions, and our day-to-day life.

For further information and related documentation please click here.

Chapel & Chaplaincy

Our Chapel and Chaplaincy Team are at the heart of the Catholic life of St Robert’s. Staff and pupils with a wide range of skills and talents enhance the faith of our community. Our Chaplain offers opportunities and participation for all our pupils enabling them to grow in their spirituality, be confident in expressing their faith and demonstrate leadership in matters of social justice, environmental stewardship, and meaningful prayer & reflection. The breadth and depth of the Catholic life opportunities offered to our pupils is something we strive for each day to allow all members of the community to let their light shine.

Retreat

We offer an exciting retreat programme to ensure that all our pupils can develop spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally. Our retreat programme offers pupils the opportunity to spend a few days in prayer, work, and reflection. A retreat is a time where our pupils can step back from their daily lives to re-charge and then re-emerge revitalised. We work in conjunction with the Diocesan Youth Ministry Team as well as our long-standing connection with the SVP on Holy Island:

  • Pupils visit Lindisfarne (Holy Island) toward the end of Year 7
  • Year 8 and 9 can visit Emmaus Youth Village in Consett
  • Years 9, 10 and 12 can attend the Diocesan Summer Festival at the Youth Village
  • Year 11 enjoy a morning of celebration before they receive their ‘Record of Achievement’ at the Stadium of Light
  • Y12 can visit the Emmaus Youth Village in Consett.
  • Y13 enjoy a ‘Day of Celebration’ to mark the end of their journey at the school

Prayer & Worship

Pupils at St Robert’s can take part and take a lead on daily prayer and reflection. Our pastoral tutor team meet with our pupils each morning, and with the support of the school chaplain, they take part in prayers that reflect our weekly themes or focus upon the liturgical season. In addition to daily prayer, pupils have a weekly form of collective worship with their Head of House, a member of the school’s leadership team or with their fellow pupils taking the lead. Our collective worship follows the diocesan format of gather, listen, prayer and mission.

Faith & Formation

Pupils at St Robert’s, with our school values at the fore, are given the opportunity to develop into the people God intended them to be. Helping them to grow in their relationship with Christ in order that they can respond to God’s calling which is unique to them. The school’s motto luceat lux vestra (Let your light shine) encourages all members of the school community to work for the greater glory of God and the common good. This ‘work’ could include involvement in our Catholic co-curricular programme which further enhances their personal formation and consists of:

  • Chaplaincy Group
  • CAFOD Group
  • SVP Group
  • Environment Group
  • Form, House, and School Captains
  • Whole school charitable focus during Advent & Lent
  • Yearly fundraising within House groups
  • Spirited Arts
  • REcreate (newly formed club ran by the RE department)

Pilgrimage

Pupils at St Robert’s can take part in the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, Year 7 visit to Holy Island and the annual pilgrimage to Rome for our Year 11 and Sixth Form pupils (please note that these opportunities have not occurred recently due to COVID, however, we will share more details as and when they return)