At the heart of Downside is
a monastic community that follows the Rule of St Benedict
and seeks to serve God and spread the Gospel in all that
it does. The Downside Development Plan sets out how we
intend to advance these aims in our work. It reflects
the fact that the monastery, school and parishes have
been integrated throughout our history and how vitally
important that triumvirate continues to be to our future.
To
be a focal centre for Catholic Benedictine life
“With all this in mind what we need to establish
is a school for the Lord’s service” Rule
of St Benedict, Prologue 45
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Make
the Abbey Church a focal point for our pastoral
work
Work to maintain links with the wider community
Enhance the role of the monastic community
Make the life and work of the monastery better known
Seek to share resources and expertise with local
Catholic maintained schools
Maintain the role of
the monks in the day-to-day life of the School
Ensure that all our parishioners feel part of the
Downside community
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To
instil a love of learning and of each other
“We can see with what loving
concern the Lord points out to us the
path of life” Rule of St Benedict
Prologue 20 |
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Foster
a culture of learning with inspirational lessons
Facilitate the quest for information with the best
possible resources
Enable learning to go beyond the curriculum
Stimulate a sense of wonder and reverence for God
Respect and value all members of the community
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To
strive for the best
“No one in the monastery
aims at personal advantage but rather
is concerned for the good of others” Rule
of St Benedict, ch 72,7 |
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Recruit
and retain good staff who are in sympathy with
Benedictine education
Attract high achieving Catholic boarding pupils
Nurture a culture of high expectation
Develop breadth and depth outside the classroom
Take account of parents’ expectations
Development of Powell and third form provision
Ensure that Downside is a wonderful place to be
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To
be a sustainable community
“If we want to make our lasting
home in his holy kingdom, the only
way is to set aright the course of
our lives in doing what is good” Rule
of St Benedict Prologue 22 |
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Be
well managed and governed by people who understand
our ethos
Be financially viable with clear published accounts
Review the transition to co-education
Promote the recruitment and formation of those called
to a monastic vocation
Encourage a culture of continuous philanthropic support
Practise stewardship of our environment
Provide sanctuary from an increasingly harsh world |
