What are our Vision, Mission and Values?
Vision: Together, inspiring excellence
Mission: Nurturing lifelong learners with God’s guidance
Values: “Love, Courage, Honesty, Faith and Forgiveness“
Which scriptures celebrate our school values?
Love – Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
Courage – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
Honesty – Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)
Faith – For we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Forgiveness – The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. (Daniel 9:9)
What is the theological underpinning of our Vision, Mission and Values?
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29 v.11)
Inspiring excellence for each individual underpins everything we do at Christ Church School. We are committed to helping every child and adult to succeed, irrespective of background or starting point. We aim to create a safe, inspiring and nurturing school culture and ethos which creates the conditions for everyone to flourish.
Everyone is valued as a unique individual. Everyone is nurtured to find their own personal excellence spiritually, academically and as a developing individual. Our Vision and Mission statement lead everything we do in our school.
St Paul describes the church as a body in several of his letters. This depicts Christ Church School too. Every child, parent, teacher and staff member is a unique part of the body that is our school community. Each has unique gifts and is wonderfully made and loved by God (Psalm 139: 13-14).
Our vision is based on togetherness so that we belong to one another (Rom 12:5) and build one another up in love (Eph 4:12) as we inspire excellence in all. Excellence is not just a corporate standard, but a personal fulfilment of the person that God has fearfully and wonderfully made.
Lifelong learning (Matt 28:20) is nurtured and inspired by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in those who believe (John 16:13) and by faithful followers of Christ’s example (Hebrews 10:24) to support and spur one another on. In this vision of the school as a body, a special place is reserved for those that others might see as weaker or not honoured (1 Cor 12:24-26) “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other”, rejoicing and celebrating everyone together. All can be beacons of light to others, regardless of age (1 Tim 4:12), inspiring by example, guided by God (Matt 5:16).
They (Vision and Mission) are underpinned by our Christian Values and scripture:
St Paul described the love that God has for us in 1 Corinthians 13. The values of Christ Church School are overarched by God’s love and Jesus command to love one another “so that others will see that you are my disciples” (John 13:35). Three things remain in the Christian life – Faith, Hope and Love – but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13:13). Love is the first of our values.
Faith is the second of the values. Faith in God and faithfulness to one another.
Hope is expressed in the way in which we live out the other three values. Firstly, courage inspired by God’s encouragement “Do not be afraid” given to Joshua, Mary and many others. Secondly, honesty because we know that the truth of the Gospel brings freedom through Christ and so our own honesty and truthfulness helps us grow as disciples (Eph 4:15). Finally, forgiveness is received from the merciful God and is Jesus’ command to us within the prayer he taught us (Matt 6:12).
“I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor 13:12-13)