Our Catholic Faith & Values
Farleigh’s Catholic foundation and ethos are central to all that we do. And this Catholic identity, which is caring and values each and every individual, encourages enquiry and produces confident, open and thoughtful young people.
Our Catholic Faith encourages our pupils to search for meaning and stimulates thought about the great questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going?
We enjoy our Catholic identity every day in various ways:
- The Chapel occupies a central place at the heart of the school and is open for parents, staff and pupils for private prayer and reflection. On Sunday, the school community is joined by a large number of families, friends and other local parishioners to celebrate Mass.
- Prayer is the foundation of the lives we live at Farleigh, from Mass in the beautiful school Chapel, to daily day school prayers and night prayers in the homely Boarding Houses, where the children have the opportunity to entrust their cares, hopes and fears to a loving God.
- Collective Worship provides an opportunity for all children from Kindergarten to Year 8 to have time to reflect on who they are called to be and how to live life to the full.
- Holy Days are celebrated according to the Liturgical cycle of the Catholic Church. These days are significant because they encourage the children to recognise the contribution of Saints and events which form our faith and values eg. Advent (the four weeks of preparation for the celebration of Christmas), Ascension Day, our Patron Saint, St Theresa of Lisieux.
- The Sacraments are a significant step in the life of our Catholic children, who, along with their families, are prepared for First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Reconciliation.
- Retreats provide a specific time for the children to strengthen their relationship with God and the values that are important to them. From home grown activities [link to follow] to outside visitors, such as Fr Oswald, our school governor responsible for Religious Studies, Dominican nuns, the local Catholic primary school and Our Lady’s Church in Bicester, the children are exposed to a living faith which finds its expression in their daily lives.
- Charity Work is an expression of the values and faith celebrated at Farleigh. Children are encouraged to think beyond themselves, whether it is for Mary’s Meals, CAFOD, the Andover foodbank, The Countess of Brecknock Hospice or Purple Oak Support, the whole community takes responsibility for the upholding of the human dignity of all those served by these charities.
- Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas, and it is a season of joy and anticipation as we await the arrival of the Christ child. The Advent wreath is a traditional symbol to help keep us focused on the time we have to prepare for Christmas Day, and the four candles of Peace, Hope, Joy and Love remind us of the focus of this season.
See How we Pray here
Our Principal School Prayers here
A school abundant with joy, nurturing compassionate, reflective and hardworking children, well prepared for top notch senior schools and a meaningful life beyond."
The Good Schools Guide
