Ethos and Values of St. John’s

 

St John’s is a church school with God at its centre. The school Vision seeks to transform the lives of our community through a collective understanding that we are all:

Loved by God. Learning with Jesus. Living by the Spirit.

 

Loved by God (John.3:16)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

To know that we are uniquely created by God, to be like God with purpose and worth. This allows us to be the best we can be knowing that God loves us and forgives us.  We pursue excellence as we seek to fulfil our God-given potential with courage and confidence.

This means that:

  • We will treat one another with Respect, Dignity and Love.
  • We will live with Hope because we are secure in the knowledge that we are valued.

 

Learning with Jesus (Matthew.7:24)
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Jesus gives us a clear and inspiring vision for what it means to be a human in God’s vast and amazing world.  Through His teaching, life, death and resurrection He enables us to make the best decisions for ourselves, each other and our world, to be effective learners and to pursue truth wherever it is found.

This means that:

  • We will have a thirst for knowledge and skills and we will question, challenge and explore in all areas of our curriculum.
  • We will seek to live with wisdom and to put into practise what we are learning.

 

Living by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

We need God’s help to be like Jesus, to be successful learners, growing through our mistakes, so that we can face the challenges of a world that is evolving.  The Holy Spirit will guide us to live together, to flourish together and to serve together.

This means that:

  • We will be a community that treats one another with compassion; forgiving and being forgiven, so reconciliation is possible.
  • We will pursue justice, paying particular attention to the needs of those who are vulnerable.

 

Furthermore we ensure that:

  • Pupils are exposed to the essential knowledge that they need to be educated citizens, and introduced to the best that has been thought and said to help them to engender an appreciation of human and creative achievement.
  • Pupils have a learning environment which allows pupils to fully develop their skills, personal qualities and attitudes – and to know self-esteem.
  • Pupils are encouraged to have lively, enquiring minds and to develop the ability to question confidently and argue rationally.
  • Pupils develop a good attitude to work and show respect and tolerance for others. They are encouraged to appreciate the achievements and aspirations of others in order that they themselves may make a useful contribution to Society.
  • Pupils acquire the understanding, knowledge and skills to enable them to face confidently, the challenges of a complex industrial Society.