Chapel Life

"A Point of Difference"

I was chatting with some of my colleagues in the staff room and we were discussing what St Paul’s Collegiate School offers to students and parents as a ‘point of difference’ from other schools.  In the time I have had the privilege to be the Chaplain at St Paul’s; I have come to believe that our point of difference is not simply that we are an Anglican special character school. Our true point of difference is in our chapel of Christ the King, which allows us at St Paul’s to offer something very few schools can offer.  Christ the King is more than simply a chapel; it is also a performing arts centre, a meeting place, a place of quiet prayer and contemplation, a place where St Paul’s celebrates all its greatest achievements, and a place where the community gathers in times of loss or heartbreak.  In short, Christ the King is the heartbeat and focal point of the St Paul’s community.  When we are truly at our best, it is not on the rugby pitch, in the classroom, or in school production—it is when we come together in our spiritual home which is the Chapel of Christ the King.

As a community, the students, staff and family come together three times per week to worship: on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12.15pm and on Sunday evenings at 7.30pm.  However, I believe this does not represent the full community of St Paul’s because our community is not only the staff and students, but also the parents, old collegians, board members and many other people who feel a connection to St Paul’s.  With that in mind it seems only appropriate that when we come together as a community, we make sure the whole community is present.  So, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to our chapel services during the week or, in particular, on Sunday evenings.  It is our vision that worship at St Paul’s is an experience shared by all.

Haeri Mai, you are always welcome!