St John's School

Promoting the Christian message at St John’s CofE VC School

St John’s School has a dedicated, long-serving Chaplaincy Team with representatives from the major churches within Epping as well as members of the Governing Body, teaching and support staff. Here is a flavour of some of the activities which promote the Christian message within the school:

Year 7:	Students investigate what it means to be a Christian in the modern world through delivery of a suitably modified Youth Alpha course. This work is followed by with a visit to St John’s CofE church in Epping, to look at the structure, design, purpose and use of the building.
Year 8:	Students participate in a Worship Day that focuses on the theme of God as Designer which culminates in a time of collective worship in St John’s Church.
Year 9:	Students reflect on poverty and fair trade through trading game activities.
Year 10:	Students participate in a spiritual retreat at St Mark’s College in Audley End
Year 11:	The Chaplaincy team gives each leaver a ‘Footprints poem’ card wishing them well for the future.
Staff:	The Chaplaincy team supports St John’s School staff by providing a listening ear, a supportive word or card for individual members of staff at times of high pressure and through providing cakes for all staff at stressful times, e.g. during Ofsted inspections.
Prayer:	The local churches pray regularly for St John’s School; in addition, members of The Chaplaincy Team meet fortnightly to pray for all aspects of the school and school life.

Chaplaincy Team
Rev. Bryony Morrison (Chaplain) Ann Robinson (Head of RE) Lee Carmichael (Epping Forest Church Pastor) Jean Kibblewhite (Governor) Doreen Miller (Governor) Susan Asher Louise Want (Youth for Christ Worker)	Gill Mason (Assistant Headteacher) Alison Carmichael Alison Dolan (Governor) Lindsey Brown Ruth Howarth (RE Teacher) Marjorie Austin Karin DuToit

‘Footprints poem’

One night I dreamed a dream.

I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life.

This bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Being a christian at St John's



















	“St John's is a great school for everyone from age 11 to 16”