Our School Vision and Values
What is the vision for our school community?
Our aspiration is for all members of our community to recognise their place in the world as a unique individual who is deeply loved by God, and that we all have a special part to play within it. As a small rural school, we teach children to recognise and celebrate our wonderfully diverse world alongside our God given responsibility to care for it. Through the curriculum we broaden children’s knowledge and understanding of different people and places, promote a love of learning and encourage each other to do the best we can.
Our vision is to build a community who:
Care, Share and Be Fair
Care for ourselves, for others and for the created world.
Share in the joy of being a part of a local and global community.
Be fair in every relationship and act, being an advocate for justice.
The school’s vision is based on Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount,
‘Do to others what you would have them do to you.’ (Matthew 7:12)
This reminds us that desiring a good life for others is a fundamental part of achieving a good life for ourselves. Respect for everyone is the basis of the ethos that binds us as a community.
What are the values that guide our school community?
Friendship – Respect – Compassion
Friendship
‘A friend loves at all times.’ Proverbs 17:17
We are a friendly community who recognise we all have a range of emotions and experiences; we accept and support each other without judgement. Friendship is between all people and all ages. It is celebrated through no one being left alone or unsupported.
Respect
‘And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.’ Ephesians 4:32
We work together as a respectful community, and we strive to see the world through the children’s eyes. We seek to understand their interests, their perceptions and value their contributions, showing respect for ourselves, each other, and the world we live in.
Compassion
‘The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.’ Psalm 145:8-9
We encourage children to know that they can be courageous advocates themselves. Our community supports each other through good times and bad, feeling empathy and showing love for one another.
Why are these values important to our community?
(Quotes from our recent survey)
Friendship
‘Friends give support, courage to face new challenges and also get through the tough times in life.’
‘Friendship and compassion are active expressions of love, which Jesus commanded us to do to God and to each other.’
‘School is the foundation of so many friendships, the place where strangers are brought together and learn the importance of being a good friend and having good friends, sometimes for the first time, which we then carry with us throughout our lives. Jesus teaches us to love one another and value friendships. The bible also reminds us that if one falls down the other can help him up. Friendship helps children to grow, to trust, to be trustworthy, kind, and helpful and so many other amazing values.’
Respect
‘Respect. Where there is no respect, there is no trust, no dignity or courtesy.’
‘Respect means so many things. Respecting people’s feelings, respecting our differences and treating people how you would like to be treated.’
‘Respect for others and the environment around us. Responsibility for our own actions for both our own future and the future of others.’
Compassion
‘When we see someone struggling, compassion is coming alongside them, supporting them and walking with them.’
‘Compassion changes the way we see and relate to others; it opens our hearts and minds to be there for our friends extending the love and care shown by Jesus.’
‘The children have an understanding that they care for themselves, the school and wider community, the environment and those less fortunate than ourselves both locally and globally.’