Behind the Vision
During 2019, St Mary’s engaged in a process to update our school vision and values. This was done in consultation with children, parents, governors and staff.
Our first two-year cycle took place between 2019-2021 and encompassed three lockdowns with partial-school closures. We took time to reflect on the impact of the school and used this to inform the next cycle. This evaluation with children and adults took place again at the end of the 2021-2023 cycle, making a few adjustments as we prepare for 2023-2025.
“The vision is what make us a school and shows us how to live. We get space to reflect and to worship God using our values which I really love.” - Year 6 Pupil
A closer look at our vision
“…a welcoming Christian community…”
Galatians 3:28 reminds us that we are all one in Christ Jesus and epitomises God’s welcoming attitude prescribed in Romans 15:7 to ‘welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God’. We aim to make sure our door is open to all. We aim to serve our local community, welcoming all, including those of all faiths or no faith.
“…where every child has the chance to flourish”
Proverbs 22:6 instructs: “start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” We believe that every child has the right to a rich, broad curriculum taught by passionate and informed staff.
“bring and share joy”
Galatians 5:22 tells us that joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit. When Jesus came to earth it was “good news of great joy for all people” (Luke 2:10) and His last prayer was for his followers to have ‘His joy made full in themselves’ (Jn 17:13) We therefore believe it is our role to have a joy that overflows throughout the school and wider afield into our local community and world.
“inspire daily and creatively equip children for the future”
We believe that Jesus was an inspirational figure. His teaching and actions engaged all and as a school we want to emulate this. In this ever-changing world we aim to inspire children towards ‘love and good deeds’ (Hebrews 10:24) nurturing children to be leaders and advocates, now and in the future. We know that we need to be creative in doing this and are excited to embrace a dynamic and responsive curriculum
“We’re thankful for all that God has provided;”
As the Psalms (and later Paul) repeat, “Give thanks to the Lord our God and King, His love endures forever”. We believe that being thankful promotes optimism and helps us to be positive. We want to celebrate the history of our school and the fantastic links we have with our local Church.
“…proud of where He has placed us; “
Welham Green is a beautiful village with a strong and unique community. We are proud of this community and want to live in harmony (Romans 12:16) performing the good deeds here that God has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
“and excited at the potential to come.”
We believe in every one of our children and whilst we have high aspirations for them, Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. Therefore, we are thrilled about what our school, our staff and our children have to offer. They can be like the “light on a hill” (Matthew 5:14) overflowing from our school into our local community and the wider world.