Special Character

Rathkeale College is an Anglican school providing a unity of Day and Boarding components through programmes of worship and religious studies, upholding a strong moral code and providing a well-rounded education that promotes excellence through academic, cultural and sporting pursuits in which all students and staff are expected to participate fully.

Philosophically, Rathkeale College is committed to single sex education. However, students in the senior school (Years 12 and 13) engage in their academic work with St Matthew’s Collegiate senior students in the Rathkeale St Matthew’s Senior College based on the Rathkeale campus.

How we promote our special character:

  • The presence of a full-time residential Chaplain at the school
  • The historic St Martin’s On The Close Chapel
  • Regular full school and year level Chapel services
  • Religious Education studies as part of the junior school curriculum
  • Involvement of parents and families in the spiritual life of the school
  • Promoting positive personal relationships

 

From the Anglican Schools Office: Understanding the Special Character of an Anglican School

Christian values

Rathkeale College is an integrated school in which Christian values are promoted within our Anglican heritage. Every student, regardless of their background or beliefs, is expected to participate in the spiritual life of the school. Being open minded and accepting of the messages given in weekly chapel services allows the boys to ponder their personal spirituality.

Chaplaincy

Our  Chaplain is Rev Ben Arcus who lives on site at Rathkeale.  As well as teaching Religious Education, he visits the boarding houses in a pastoral role after school hours.

Contact Rev Ben: bda@rathkeale.school.nz

Chaplain Ben

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

www.worldvision.org.nz

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.

Chapel Life

anzac service
Chapel Services:
Whole school chapel services are held every Tuesday morning at 8:30am.
 
Sermons: