Christian Values & Distinctiveness
Christian Values
These values flow from our vision and are the habits and practices we seek to embody in all adults and children at this school. We focus on one value each term, and our collective worship is planned around it.
Term 1: generosity
Term 2: compassion
Term 3: courage
Term 4: forgiveness
Term 5: perseverance
Term 6: respect
As a Church school, we interpret these as Christian values rooted in stories from the Bible. However, they are also available for all, regardless of faith. We will reward children for showing these values to each other and in their work.
Termly Value
Our value this term is courage
'Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go' Joshua 1:9
Our key Bible story this term will be ‘Moses and the Burning Bush’ (Exodus 3-4) showing how God gave Moses courage when asking him to face a huge challenge.
We will also be linking our Christian value to the NSPCC 'Speak out Stay safe' campaign focusing on how it can take courage to speak out about things in our school.
At Horfield, we would like to give parents, whatever their beliefs, a chance to explore the values at home with their families.
Each term we offer some activities linked to the value of the term. Please click on the link below and download some thoughts and stories to look at compassion at home with your children. They can be used for a family discussion, a story at bedtime, or some puzzles
and quizzes to solve!
We would love to hear or see any materials that come out of a result of your discussions or activities!
Click here to find out how you can develop courage at home.
Christian Distinctiveness
Our Christian distinctiveness is embodied in the vision for our school:
Deeply rooted, flourishing together, reaching great heights
As a Church school, our vision is drawn from the great wisdom within the Christian faith. We have chosen this quote from Psalm 1.3 as we feel it shows our hope and ambition for our school:
‘Like a tree firmly planted by streams of living water’
Our school badge is a tree, and we offer children secure roots and nurture in order for them to reach great heights. Following the Church of England Vision for Education (2016) we seek to offer children a glimpse of life 'in all its fullness'. Education is about the whole person - giving children experiences that will allow them to develop ability to reflect on themselves, others, the world, and the transcendent.
We recognise that children and families at Horfield come from a wide range of faiths and worldviews. We seek to be open to all, and offer a wide welcome to everyone who comes here.
The vision is central to everything we do at Horfield – we consider it as the basis for any decisions or plans we make.
Through our very close links with Horfield Parish Church we have developed a range of special services and weekly themes that explore the Christian story, as well as celebrating other faiths or important national days. Through our values (add hyperlink) we explore habits and practices rooted in Christianity, but open to those of all faiths or none.
To explain more about what being a Church school means, staff with a group of parents and governors have developed a guide'. This informs you about how we live out being a Church school and some of the activities that go on to support this.
Please read and get in touch if you would like any more information.
