Visions and Values

Our vision and values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens.

Vision Statement

Jesus offers life in all its fullness, and so we inspire our children to flourish and grow in school, the community and the wider world.

Our school is a safe and caring environment, with Christian values at its heart. Our school respects, and welcomes , all faiths, cultures and communities.

We ensure every child is valued, encouraging them to discover their gifts and potential.

Unique and precious in God's eyes, be the best that you can be.

Jesus said, "I have come in order that you may have life - life in all its fullness."

John 10:10

Aims of the School

To help pupils develop lively, enquiring minds, the ability to question and argue rationally and to apply themselves to tasks and individual skills.
To help pupils to acquire knowledge and skills relevant to adult life and employment in a fast changing world through the medium of a wide and varied curriculum.
To help pupils to use language and number effectively.
To help pupils to develop respect for religious and moral values, and tolerance of other races, religions and ways of life.
To help pupils to understand the world in which they live and the inter-dependence of individuals and ways of life.
To help pupils to appreciate human achievements and aspirations.

Our school is based upon learning through relevant experiences. All stages of a child's development should be supported by a progressive curriculum and the needs of individual children met through active participation in the learning process.

St Pauls' Whole School Values

Here at St Paul's we have identified ten Christian values that we believe sit at the heart of our school community. Each half term we have a particular focus on one of those values.

Worship is used as an opportunity to talk about our Vision and Values with the whole school community, following our agreed plan. Below you can find our 2-year rolling worship plan and our agreed Bible stories list.

Our school Christian values 23-24

Our School Values 2023-24.docx

Bible Stories That Demonstrate Our Christian Values.pdf

Values displays around school

This half term, we are looking at the value of Hope.

Hope

..put your hope in the Lord, because with the Lord there is mercy and with him there is unlimited forgiveness.

Psalm 130 verse 7

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13

Hope

My Lighthouse with lyrics (Rend Collective)

This song explores how God's love is our hope for our future - He is our lighthouse through the darkness. "I will trust the promise, you will carry me safe to shore."

As we build up to the good news of Easter, we are exploring what the Easter story means to us, what it looks like for us to live in hope and how we can share that hope with the people around us.

Last half term our value was

Thankfulness

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 106 vs 1

Previous values:

GENEROSITY

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Miss Harrington shared her poem on generosity in our first assembly for our new value.

The Widow's Coins Mark 12:41-44

Why not watch this version of the story

FORGIVENESS

Peter asked Jesus how often it is necessary to forgive, and Jesus replied, “Seventy-seven times”

Matthew 18:22

You Forgive Me

Catherine from Christians in Schools Trust has taught us this fantastic worship song. Enjoy the music...sing and dance along!

The prayer Jesus taught us is the perfect prayer when asking God for forgiveness.

The Lord's Prayer

HONESTY

And so, putting away false words, let everyone say what is true to his neighbour: for we are parts one of another.

Ephesians 4:25

Nick & Becky Drake - City On A Hill - Lyric Video

City On A Hill is a new worship song that we are learning in assemblies (with actions!). It reminds us to be honest to ourselves and to shine a light for Jesus with confidence.

An Honesty Prayer

Dear God,

Help us to be honest when we do something wrong.
Help us not to blame other people, but acknowledge our mistakes,
and apologise and so learn and move on.

Amen

God's Story: Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus was not an honest man. He was a tax collector who had no friends because he took people's money to make himself rich. Jesus showed him love, and it changed his life. When Zacchaeus realised that Jesus loved him even though he had messed up, he wanted to show that kind of love to others.

COMPASSION

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

Dear Lord Jesus

Thank you for loving me. Clothe me with compassion towards others.

Make it radiate from my actions and deeds. You are the example for love.

Help me to be a similar example for other people.

Give me a selfless spirit that seeks first to serve others.

Amen

The Good Samaritan

This parable explains beautifully who we should show compassion towards. You can find the story in Luke chapter 10.

RESPONSIBILITY

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people.

Colossians 3:23

UKS2 display

We have discussed Bible stories that reflect our value of Responsibility. They include The Prodigal Son, The Good Samaritan, the Story of Creation and Samuel.

A prayer by one of our Year 5 children

Dear God

You are the most responsible and the most perfect.

Thank you for our school and the responsibility to be independent.

Please help the people that are poor and homeless to get the help that they need and for the government to take responsibility for them.

Please help me to be more responsible and look after my family and friends.

Amen

By Kira, Y5DF

Jesus Calls the Disciples

During one of her assemblies, Miss Harrington used this video to highlight Jesus' calling to service. Jesus has taken on the responsibility of the world as He has taken on all our sins. He also passed on the responsibility to His disciples to carry on His work when He went up to heaven. We all have responsibility to carry on His work and live by His values today.

God of Justice

A fantastic worship song, reminding us that we must act for justice, taking responsibility for what happens in our school, our community and throughout the world.

Bible stories and stories from other faiths

We discussed how these stories taught us more about how to live out our school values every day.

Bible stories included: The Good Samaritan, David and Goliath, The Lost Son, Zacchaeus, The Paralysed Man, Noah's Ark and a fun acting competition (children versus teachers) to identify all the stories we've covered.

God's Story: David and Goliath (Full Version)

God's Story: Two Sons and a Father - The Lost Son

Perseverance

Blessed is the person who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:12

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 30:41

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13

Imagine (UNICEF: World Version)

Miss Harrington led an assembly where we were challenged to reflect on the war in Ukraine. At the end she shared this video from UNICEF.

Examples of HOPE displays around school

50 countries sing amazing grace and others the blessing on their country

Miss Harrington shared this video showing countries from all around the world singing this fantastic song of thanksgiving and gratitude to God through HIs grace.

In Mrs Bouchier's assembly, we thought about God's creation and how thankful we are for all He has given us. We also thought about how we need to take care of this precious gift. She shared a photo of the Hope Valley that is particularly special to her and reminds her to be thankful for the beauty of nature, for the never-ending love of Jesus and for her family.

The Thankful Leper (Luke 17: 11-19)

This story is about the 10 men who were healed of leprosy and the one who came back to say thank you.

A values display on Thankfulness

Some of our class-based Generosity work

In our Tuesday church assembly, Reverend Jess read us the story of The Widow's Offering. The story can be found in the New Testament of the Bible in Mark's gospel (Mark 12 vs 41-44).

An earlier school value was:

FRIENDSHIP

Nothing should be done because of pride or thinking about yourself. Think of other people as more important than yourself.

Philippians 2:3

Help each other in troubles and problems. This is the kind of law Christ asks us to obey.

Galatians 6:2

Our school worships on Friendship

This half term, we are looking at the special friends that Jesus chose. We call them his disciples and we are discovering who He chose, why He chose them and what special names He gave to them.

Jesus chooses His disciplesWatch the video Miss Harrington used in her assembly

In Year 6, we thought about ourselves and what names Jesus might give to us. We also shared names we thought Jesus might give our friends to demonstrate our strengths and qualities. Finally, we thought about the name we might aspire to if we do not think we are there quite yet.