Loving, Learning, Growing
Together with Jesus
Aims:
In St Margaret Mary’s we
- offer an all round education that develops every aspect of the individual, giving everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential
- live, love and grow as a family, following the example of Jesus
- share our talents to enrich our lives and the lives of others.
Click here for our full Mission Statement
VALUES STATEMENT
We need to build up society in the light of the Beatitudes,
walking towards the Kingdom with the least among us.’ Pope Francis
‘Rooted in the teaching of Christ, these Gospel values should constitute the targets and outcomes of the educational enterprise in every Catholic School. For this to be possible, these Gospel values need to be explicitly named, their meaning unpacked and pupils helped to understand how they relate to their lives both at school, at home and in society.’ (Christ at the Centre, 2012, pg.16-17)
Our values statement flows from our mission statement, inspired and rooted in the Gospel values expressed by Jesus through the Beatitudes.
CHRIST IS AT THE CENTRE OF OUR SCHOOL.
Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
All are welcome in this place
(Marty Haugen)
Loving, learning and growing together with Jesus
LOVING
Truth and Justice
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- We have clear rules and boundaries for all children to help develop their understanding of fairness and justice.
- We model fairness and justice and provide opportunities for children to apply this independently.
- We demonstrate an understanding of fairness and justice in the local community and the wider world. For example: contributions to the food bank, Claire House, Cafod and the Community Spirit Festival
- We are kind. Be kind- our school rule that begin in Nursery.
- We encourage sharing and taking turns.
- We help the children to develop an awareness of how to stay safe and where to go for help.
- We encourage honesty and that it always the best to tell the truth.
- We support the children in making the right choices
- We celebrate all of these things.
Tolerance and Peace
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
- We are all unique and we celebrate our differences.
- We encourage and celebrate different faiths.
- We model how to resolve conflict peacefully by giving examples and modelling the language of talking through problems.
- We encourage children to resolve conflicts peacefully using skills reinforced throughout the year and through restorative practice.
Forgiveness and Mercy
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- We set high expectations of behaviour to develop positive relationships and be good role models.
- We treat others’ with care, respect, dignity, kindness and compassion.
- We teach that forgiveness is selfless and it heals both parties.
- When children have made a wrong choice, as adults, we treat them with respect and care to help them understand what they have done and show them forgiveness.
- We are positive role models.
- We admit mistakes and apologise when wrong.
- We move on and everyday is a new day
- We are gentle and kind and talk things through with each child.
- We follow our positive behaviour policy.
Loving, learning and growing together with Jesus
LEARNING
Faithfulness and Integrity
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- We give thanks to God for our talents and achievements.
- We celebrate and recognise the talents and achievements of others.
- We make learning fun.
- We celebrate our work and the work of others. We believe in ourselves and encourage each other.
- We learn together, supporting different styles and ways of learning.
- We encourage high aspiration in our children so that they can be the best that they can be.
- We always try our best and are proud of our achievements.
- We celebrate our achievement and those of others.
- We inspire children to actively learn at home in many different ways.
- We deliver high quality teaching and experiences.
- We provide opportunities for children and families to participate in all the school has to offer.
- We include everyone.
Humility and Gentleness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- We help the children to value and respect others and themselves.
- We strive to create an inclusive environment for each child to reach their full potential.
- We work in partnership with parents and recognise them as their children’s first educators.
- We give support and guidance to children and their families and walk beside them in times of need.
- We support parents in anyway we can. We identify, share and act upon our worries about families who may be in difficult circumstances.
Loving, learning and growing together with Jesus
GROWING
Service and Sacrifice
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice for your reward in heaven is great.
- We act as a Church community.
- We endeavour to build the kingdom of heaven on earth
- We celebrate as a whole school community- involving families, governors and friends.
- We organise a range of parent and grandparent workshops.
- We involve the community in services and assemblies.
- We host coffee mornings.
- We give to a wide variety of charities, often at the behest of our children.
- We give service to the local community through various activities including raising funds for charities, joining the Community Spirit Festival and our choir taking part in events.
- We encourage all our children to be proud to share their beliefs and feelings.
- We encourage all out children to not afraid of being different just to fit in with your peers.
Purity and Holiness
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- We encourage the children to know and understand why the mission statement is important to us.
- The start of some children’s relationship with Jesus is within school. Prayer and liturgy within class provides opportunities to meet God daily, in their own time and in their own way.
- We encourage our children to develop an understanding of why we celebrate our Catholic faith from the start of their school life.
- Jesus is at the heart of all we do; all our actions and decisions taken for each member of our school community.
- We encourage questioning and curiosity through religious signs and symbols around school
- We invite parents and family members to celebrate their faith within school and church.
Dignity and Compassion
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- All are equal individuals, created in the image of God.
- We treat all children with respect and teach them about healthy relationships and diverse families.
- We encourage all to respect each other and understand that others may have a different point of view.
- We consider each others’ feelings and provide comfort, love and care.
- We believe each new day is a fresh start.