Visions and Values

Our Vision describes how we are going to achieve our over-arching purpose in the next 3 years. VISION seeks to answer the question: Where are we going?

 

Staff were encouraged to think about the characteristics and attributes that we would like our Year 6 pupils to have when they leave. Staff were asked the following question:

 

If our school were an animal, which would it be and why?

 

They then attributed the characteristics and behaviours to an animal.

 

The following Vision statement was agreed by all stakeholders in October 2018. 

 

Squirrel 

 

Storing up knowledge for the future with,

Qualities eagerly developed amongst each child

Uniqueness is celebrated, understanding fostered, creating

Inquisitive, independent, individuals who are

Remembering, retaining

Retrieving knowledge through

Effort and enthusiasm

Learning to love just like our Lord Jesus Christ

 

Our Values express the distinctively Christian ways in which we go about things in thought, word and deed. VALUES seek to answer the question: How do we do things around here? What do we Value? The following values have been agreed by staff and pupils and are known as our ‘Be Attitudes’. Our Be-Attitudes are based upon Stephen Covey's  '7 Habits of Highly Effective People'.

 

These values are embedded into daily life at St Antony’s by all members of the community.

  
 Be Responsible (Be proactive) 
•    I make good choices. 
•    I take charge of my learning. 
•    I think for myself and take initiative. 
•    I learn from my mistakes. 
•    I say sorry when I am wrong and do not blame others. 
•    I choose what I do, what I say and what I feel.  
•    I can only be offended if I choose to be. 
 
Be Organised (Begin with the end in mind) 
•    I plan ahead and set goals.  
•    I know what I want to achieve and how to do it. 
•    I do things that make a difference.  
•    I am an important part of my class, helping others and looking after resources.  
•    I contribute to my school’s mission and vision. 
•    I look for ways to be a good citizen. 
 

 

Be Disciplined (Work first, then play) 
•    I spend my time on things that are most important.  
•    I say no to things I know I should not do. 
•    I set priorities, make a schedule and follow my plan.  
•    I stay focused and am not easily distracted. 
 
 

Be Considerate (Think win-win) 
•    JOY (Jesus Others Yourself) 
•    I think about what Jesus would want and what others need or want, not just myself. 
•    I make other people feel better and cheer them up. 
•    When disagreements happen, I try to find solutions that make everyone happy. 
 
 

Be Understanding (Seek first to understand, then to be understood) 
•    I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings.  
•    I listen to the words of the Gospel and try to live them. 
•    I try to see things from their viewpoints.  
•    I listen to others without interrupting. 
•    I look people in the eyes when listening or talking.  
•    I am confident voicing my ideas.  
 
Be Humble (Synergise – work together) 
•    I know that everyone is created and loved by God and I value the good in all people.  
•    I know that everyone has different talents and strengths. 
•    I try to follow Jesus and always do my best for others, helping those in need. I am JOYful 
•    I get along well with others, even people who are different than me.  
•    I work well in groups and listen to everyone’s ideas. 
 
Be Healthy (Sharpen the saw) 
•    I take care of my body and mind by eating right, exercising, and getting sleep.  
•    I spend time with my family and friends.  
•    I spend time in prayer with God.  
•    I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school.  
•    I take time to find meaningful ways to help others. 
 
 

Be the change you want to see  
•    I think about the affect my actions will have in the future. 
•    I try to make the world a better place for everyone.  
•    I look after God’s planet.  
•    I behave in a way that will lead me to my goals.  
•    I constantly seek to become the best person I can be. 
 

 

Our Aims

We believe in a broad and balanced curriculum where each child's unique talents are both celebrated and developed. We aim that our pupils will be successful and enjoy learning. We want them to gain the essential skills that will prepare them to be happy, healthy and confident individuals and responsible citizens for the future.

We aim to create and maintain an environment where our children will flourish growing in their relationship with God. As they grow in relationship with one another they will learn to respect, accept and forgive.

Our children should enjoy their particular stage of development and be prepared for the next stage in their school career. We achieve this by helping our children acquire the knowledge and skills relevant to their lives now and in the future.

In a stimulating, positive environment children will be challenged to achieve their full potential.

British Values

The government has set out its definition of British Values as:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths

 

As a Catholic School, we actively promote values, virtues and ethics that shape our pupils' character and moral perspective, through the teachings of the Church. We are confident that our continued focus on the Gospel Values will give our pupils the necessary awareness of what it means to be a good citizen and ensures that the children are ready for life in 21st Century Britain.

Through our curriculum for PSHE, RE, History and Geography, as well as the general school aims, mission and ethos, we are able to make real links between the values of our pupils and the lives of others in their community, country and the world in general. We teach about democracy, civic responsibility, rules and laws, the monarchy, equality, values and virtues, environmental awareness and understanding of other faiths.

 

At St Antonys Catholic Primary School, we actively promote the fundamental British values:

Democracy

Children show knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system through the School Council, House System, History and PSHE curriculum and Positive Behaviour policy.

Rule of Law

Children are taught the difference between right and wrong through circle time, group and individual conversation, our behaviour policy and strategies.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our school ethos. Children learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. At St Antony’s Primary, we reinforce the understanding that we are all equal with different qualities, backgrounds, interests and personalities. We celebrate personal achievements and interests.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

As a Catholic school we believe it is vital that our children and their families understand that tolerance of other faiths comes from a mutual respect and understanding of beliefs Our RE, PSHE and SMSC teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.