Anglican Special Character – Christian Values
It has been said that Religion and Politics both seek to answer the same question: what does it mean to be a human being? The Anglican Special Character at Rathkeale College answers that question by pointing, as all Christian traditions do, to Jesus Christ.
Through weekly whole-school chapel services, fortnightly year-group chapels and Thursday Night Prayer, as well as celebrating the significant events on the Church Calendar, we seek to celebrate and unpack what the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus has to teach us about our humanity – what we are and what we could aspire to be.
Consequently our aim is to teach and model the values of Love, Social Justice, Compassion, and whatever else makes for a good person. These values are embedded in our concept of The Good Rathkeale Man, which is an ideal for our students to aspire to, in a world where ideals and values are being abandoned.
Our Anglican heritage requires us to not only be connected back into the historical tradition but to work within the five fold mission of the Church of the Province of Aotearoa New Zealand, which is to:
To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
At Rathkeale all students attend chapel services weekly. Here they are given the message of God’s love for them and Christ’s mission for their lives, to go out into the world and love humanity.
The Christian values of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control are presented in a thoughtful and engaging way. Students are encouraged to be introspective as they think about how they can live out these values.
To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
Part of the students’ education at Rathkeale College is the Religious Education programme. This programme gives students the chance to debate and discuss the moral, ethical and spiritual ideas in the Bible. An open mind and a willingness to think through new ideas while questioning their own ideas helps these classes be a place of significant growth.
The Religious Education programme also provides students with a chance to get their hands dirty as they are challenged to find places and people that they can serve.
All students, staff, and family members are welcome at evening prayers every Thursday evening in St. Martin’s, our school’s chapel. This gives students time for meditation and contemplation as they move through the very hectic schedule that comes with school life.
To respond to human need by loving service
All students at Rathkeale College are encouraged to find a way to serve in the community. Opportunities to step forward range from helping to provide firewood to people in need onto partnering with local organisations on community projects.
We recognise that each student is an individual, and we believe that service opportunities are about giving freely. Each student is challenged to give where and how they feel free to give. Knowing that we all have a gift that is rewarding and life affirming.
To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation
Part of students learning to be aware of those around them involves giving them opportunities to learn about the unjust structures that exist in our world. Opportunities learn about these situations and what can be done range from international trips with a service component to getting involved in World Vision’s 40-hour Famine. Mufti days are held throughout the year with profits going to a charity of that is chosen from amongst the student leadership.
We want to be serious about the spiritual journey for our student body, which inevitably involves the whole person, their attitudes and behaviours to the outsider, the poor, the weak, the marginalised and the Earth. By doing this we are setting ourselves a hard task but one which we believe our special character demands of us; to love justice, to do mercy and to live humbly with our God.
School Chaplain: Dale Walterhouse ph 06 3700175, ext 7717
Chapel Prefect for 2017: Liam Heard