'Looking Forward in Faith'

"Looking Forward in Faith" has been our motto for over 20 years. Being a Church of England school, the Christian Faith is at the heart of everything we do, although we are always welcoming to those of all faiths and none. 

Our Faith gives us the stability which means our school is a place of safety to support and nurture our children through good times and bad.

Our Faith gives us the hope which recognises the potential in every child and the aspiration that we can reach that potential through a dynamic learning environment.

We 'Look Forward' because we know that Jesus has "come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness" John 10.10

Our Christian Vision

Our school, together with family, church and community, offers a stable rock for learning, resilience and aspiration as we travel through life.

We commit to create a dynamic environment, with Christian values at the heart, where the unique nature of each individual is respected and nurtured to enable life in all its fullness.

“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7: 25-27

Our Christian Values

At St Helen's, our Christian Values can be found in all that we do and are shared and discussed regularly through worship, lessons and around the school. They are the foundation to Jesus' teaching and here at St Helen's we believe that they underpin the creation of well-rounded pupils.

Friendship

Friendship is an undisputed value in our society, with children often spending more time with their friends than with family. It is a key concept in the Christian framework, with Jesus being criticised for being ‘the friend of sinners’ and eating with those society rejected. We teach and encourage an attitude of inclusivity and openness to others, regardless of religious, ethnicity or socio­‐economic background.

‘a friend loves at all times’ (Proverbs 17:17)

Texts we explore linked to Friendship

Hope

Christian hope is grounded in the character of God and hope for the future has its guarantee in the resurrection of Jesus. For Christians, Jesus’ death and resurrection has set this in motion. At a deeper level, hope is a universal human phenomenon. People hope for peace in time of war; food in time of famine; justice in time of oppression. Where hope is lost there is despair and disintegration. Hope generates energy and sustains people through difficult times. We teach children that there are good and bad times in life and that this is normal. We teach the importance of having hope that better times will come and that we can play a part in making our world and lives better.

"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 40:31)

Texts we explore linked to Hope

Trust

Trust is essential to human life and lies at the heart of all relationships. Trust entails vulnerability, putting yourself in others’ hands. We have to trust experts - pilots, dentists, surgeons etc. Trust is central to society, to living together in harmony, so it is to be valued and honoured. We need to be able to trust in others. Jesus, after all, entrusted his ongoing work to his disciples and ultimately to us. We teach the links between trust and respect. Children learn that they need to trust in each other and that adults in school are trusted adults who they can rely on. 

"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 (40:31)

Texts we explore linked to Trust

Forgiveness

Forgiveness cannot be given or received unless it is asked for, and the asking must be genuine and from the heart. Too often ‘sorry’ is said very easily, implying: ‘All I need to do is say I’m sorry and everything will be OK’. Jesus was uncompromising in his command to forgive. Forgive, he said, ‘seventy times seven’ (Matt 18:21). In other words, forgive and keep on forgiving without limit. Forgiveness was at the heart of everything he did and is at the heart of the Lord’s Prayer. We teach children to understand that all people can make mistakes and this is not a weakness. We help children understand that forgiveness is not just about saying sorry but rather understanding and empathising with others. Without true forgiveness it is impossible to move on from any incident and, in following Jesus’s example, we ensure we are always ready to turn the other cheek and move on.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians (4:32)

Texts we explore linked to Forgiveness

Courage

We all face periods of uncertainty in life. Far too often we find ourselves face to face with fears as well as situations that make us uncomfortable. Jesus himself had to show courage on numerous occasions, none more so than when we was about to be crucified. He taught us to stand tall and proud and show courage in God. We believe in giving children the courage to believe in themselves, no matter how small the task may seemingly be. It is important that children understand that courage does not refer to great, bold acts but can be found in the every day actions that we do in school.

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Texts we explore linked to Courage

Perseverance

Nobody finds everything easy. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. Being able to keep on going when things are difficult is a vital skill in life. Jesus frequently encouraged his disciples to 'endure patiently' the difficulties and obstacles they encountered and to persevere in the face of adversity. He himself trusted in God even when his enemies tried to stop his work and plotted his death. Perseverance can be found every day in each class at our school. The children’s understanding that they must not give up and commit to a task is discussed regularly when tackling new topics in any subject. Pupils understand that this is not done alone, and we must encourage one another to persevere.

"Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." Chronicles (15:7)

Texts we explore linked to Perseverance