Christian Values
The best analogy I have ever been given to describe the Christian Values at Berkswell School is a stick of rock. Just like the lettering within rock which runs right through its entirety and is visible from whichever aspect you look, so too, our Christian Values run through every aspect of school life.
Children cover the values, in depth, on a rotational basis, across the year.
The values are linked to the school vision. They are explored and outlived each term, as we focus on each of the areas of our vision.
Love
- Peace
- Trust
- Justice
- Generosity
Togetherness
- Forgiveness
- Respect
- Humility
- Service
Aspiration
- Perseverance
- Responsibility
- Creativity
- Courage
Classroom worship areas throughout the school reflect the area of the vision we are focussing on and the associated values.
These are displays that children are encouraged to add to and develop with their teachers and to take ownership for. Providing opportunities for reflection is also encouraged.
Children are recognised and rewarded for outliving and exemplifying our vision and values across the school day. It is at the very heart of what makes our school a very special place to be part of.
Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, explains that the ethos of church schools runs deep:
“A Christian school is one in which the atmosphere has that kind of openness about it, that sense that people are worth spending time with, that people need time to grow, need loving attention.”
We teach religion all day long.
We teach it in arithmetic by accuracy.
We teach it in language by learning to say what we mean—yea, yea or nay, nay
We teach it in history by humanity
We teach it in geography by breadth of mind
We teach it in handicraft by thoroughness
We teach it in astronomy by reverence
We teach it by manners to one another, and by truthfulness in all things.
We teach pupils to build the Church of Christ out of the actual relationships in which they stand to their teachers and their school fellows.
The Christian Gospel says that every person has a unique task to do, with God, and for God, whether they know it or not.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean than everyone involved has to share the same theology or philosophy. It doesn’t mean that everyone knows that they have this relationship with God, and is consciously working at it. But a Christian school is one in which the entire atmosphere is pervaded by the conviction that there is something mysterious, and potentially wonderful, in everybody.”
School Prayer
This is our school.
Let peace dwell here.
Let the rooms be full of contentment.
Let Love abide here:
Love of one another,
Love of mankind,
Love of life itself,
And Love of God.
Let us remember
That as many hands build a house,
So many hearts make a school.
Amen
