Our Catholic Ethos
At St Matthew Academy, all pupils are provided with opportunities to develop and nurture their faith.
This work is very much led by the Chaplaincy Team and supported by the RE department.
The Academy's ethos stresses the unique value of each individual and develops in our pupils respect for all faiths. The Chaplaincy Team endeavours to support pupils and staff to live out our Gospel values by serving others, focus of our mission statement “integrity, courage and service.” This is demonstrated in a range of ways, including through our charitable work, not just raising money or collecting goods but also raising awareness of local and global issues such the need to care for our ‘common home’.
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Frequently Asked Questions
These questions may be of particular interest to families that do not have prior experience of Catholic schools.
What does it mean to be a Catholic school?
To be a Catholic School is to live the Gospel daily in the hope of growing together in faith, wisdom, and service. At St Matthew Academy, our Catholic identity shapes how we live out our values of Integrity Courage and Service as we strive to see Christ in every member of our school community.
Can I come to St Matthew Academy if I’m not Catholic?
Yes, although grounded in Catholic teaching, these values are meaningful and enriching for people of all backgrounds. At St Matthew Academy, non-Catholic children also benefit from our values-based education, which supports every student in growing into a compassionate and responsible member of the wider community.
Do I have to take part in religious services if I’m not Catholic?
While our identity is rooted in the Catholic faith, we warmly welcome and respect students and families of all faith traditions and of no faith. We recognise that each person brings his or her own spiritual journey and perspective, which enriches our shared life together. Our prayer and liturgy practices and our Chaplaincy provisions are therefore inclusive and invitational -providing opportunities for everyone to participate with openness, reverence, and respect.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
Catholic Social Teaching are principles drawn from the teachings of scripture, magisterial documents and papal encyclicals and are used to guide the Church’s vision for a just society. While the core of CST rests on four foundational principles - dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity they expand into nine interrelated themes. At St Matthew Academy, we aim to ensure that all pupils throughout both phases learn about Catholic Social Teaching and have the chance to put them into practice through prayer and service. Pupils also have the opportunity to learn about these principles through in school retreats and assemblies.
The principles of Catholic Social Teaching are
- Dignity of work
- Common Good
- Option for the poor
- Creation and Environment
- Dignity
- Peace
- Solidarity
What are Gospel Values?
Gospel values are the core moral, ethical, and spiritual principles derived from the teachings and life of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels. They form the heart of Christian doctrine and guide believers toward living in imitation of Christ and building the Kingdom of God. Gospel values are not abstract ideas - they are a practical way of life. They challenge us to put love, mercy, justice, and human dignity at the centre of everything we do, both in school and beyond. In following Jesus’ example, we aim to form young people who are compassionate, courageous, and committed to making the world a better place.
Youth Chaplaincy - The Light Bearers
At St Matthew Academy, our Light Bearers play a very important part in supporting the spiritual life of the school community and function as an extension of the Chaplaincy Team. They are made up of pupils in both the Primary and Secondary phases and are very much involved in planning and delivering key religious celebrations such as Christmas and Easter and they lead on assemblies and liturgical prayer services throughout the year, concurrent with the Church’s Liturgical Calendar. Under guidance from the school Chaplain and secondary staff, Light Bearers also lead on the many different fund raising ventures and acts of service initiatives that we engage in as a school community.
Liturgical Calender
The liturgical calendar is the Church's annual cycle of salvation history encompassing Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. Our aim here at St Matthew Academy is for our daily rhythm of prayer to connect with the cycle of the Church through our assemblies, masses, liturgical prayer services, sharing the gospel weekly through The Wednesday Word, having time for individual and group prayer and reflections.
Academy Prayer
You are the light of the world
I have your light within me
I will not hide it away
But let your Light Shine out before others
So that they may see your good works
And give glory to You Father in heaven
AMEN
(Adapted from Matthew 5:14)
Our Parish - St Saviours Church
St Matthew Academy is proud to be closely linked with our parish church, St. Saviour’s on Lewisham High Street. The priests of St Saviour’s play an active role in our school community, supporting us throughout the year by leading liturgies, celebrating Masses, and participating in a variety of special events. Our pupils regularly attend Mass at the parish and engage with key aspects of Catholic teaching, enriching their understanding of the Church and deepening the learning they undertake in Religious Education. Through this partnership, we continue to strengthen the spiritual life of our Academy and nurture the faith journeys of all our students.
Links
Archdiocese of Southwark: www.rcsouthwark.co.uk Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis https://aec.rcaos.org.uk/ccrs Aylesford Priory: https://carmelite.org/ CAFOD: www.cafod.org.uk Education Commission: https://www.rcaoseducation.org.uk/ Christ The King Sixth Form: https://www.ctk.ac.uk/ Daily Prayer Online – produced by the Irish Jesuits: www.sacredspace.ie The World Community for Christian Meditation: www.wccm.orgSt Saviours Catholic Church Lewisham: https://saintsaviourslewisham.co.uk/
