Catholic Ethos

Thomas More Catholic School is a school where young people can develop and grow in their faith journey, by following the school’s mission statement. 

‘To Care, to Learn, to Achieve’. 

Our Catholic faith is fundamental to our work. We live out our values in every aspect, as we look to learn from the example of Jesus in the way we act and value others.  We believe that the Catholic vision of life is to follow Gospel values and we undertake to live it and celebrate it in various ways.   

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’

John 15:12

Students thrive in our community, which is diverse in its’ religious and cultural background.  Ours is a universal and welcoming community, where a genuine appreciation of faith is actively experienced.  Students are encouraged to achieve their very best, to become the person God has called them to be.  

Chaplaincy 

Thomas More Catholic School is under the trusteeship of Archbishop John Wilson in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark. 

Encouraging and supporting the spiritual development of our students is a key part of life at the School.  Chapel Club is held weekly, a time for prayer and reflection.

The school is fortunate to have a Parish Chaplain, Fr. Francis Murphy, who supports the spiritual and religious life of the school through our liturgies. We also have the commitment of a Lay-Chaplain being at the school. Mrs. Rodrigues who is part of the Pastoral Care team at Thomas More is available at school for most of the week, to encourage, support and listen to students on any issues that might be causing worry or distress to them.  

The Lay Chaplain works in collaboration with the RE Department to organise day trips to places of religious and spiritual significance, such as St Georges Cathedral Westminster Cathedral, ‘Wintershall’, an outdoor enactment of the life of Jesus, and visits to Aylesford Priory, a place of pilgrimage, all in hope of enhancing the spiritual awareness of our students. 

Daily Acts of Worship 

The school day begins with a ‘Morning Offering’, either in Tutor Groups or at Year Group assemblies.

Prayer time in Tutor Groups will often be organised and led by the students themselves and all these times of prayer are related to our ‘theme of the week’, which links to the Catholic Liturgical Calendar. We finish our school day with an ‘End of School prayer’ 

Liturgies 

The Lay Chaplain helps to organise the School’s Liturgical Calendar marking and celebrating Holydays and Seasons of the Church’s year.  

The students are encouraged to get involved and prepare for some of the assemblies and liturgies, including ‘Remembrance day’, ‘All Saints Day’, our Christmas Carol Service, Advent Assemblies, and ‘Breathe Week’ during Lent which allows students to reflect upon further explore prayer in an interactive way. Ash Wednesday with the blessing of ashes, Easter Presentation Service, Ascension Day, and the Feast of Corpus Christi are some of the other dates on our liturgical calendar.

We end the academic year in a Thanksgiving celebration of Thomas More Feast Day when Years 7, 8, and 9 all participate in an open-air Mass. A Fundraising Fayre follows this, with stalls organised by our students to support our nominated charities. 

Faith in Action   

Our students show care and concern for others by their great enthusiasm for Charity events. 

Throughout the year, our students have plenty of opportunities to put their faith into action by taking part in activities such as the traditional Senior Citizen’s party organised by the Year 10’s.  

The Sixth Form Charity team play a big part in organising events for the whole school.  

The school supports:  ‘Paint Purley Purple’, Macmillan Coffee Morning, ‘Purley Food Hub’, ‘Poppy Day’, Christmas Jumper day, Cafod ‘ Brighten up Day’, the ‘Soup Kitchen’ on Cafod Family Fast day, and  ‘Umoja’ a Kenyan Boy’s home founded by one of our members of staff.  

Thomas More Catholic School is a worshipping, caring, and educating community firmly founded on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ.  

"I am the way, the truth, and the life"

John 14. 6.