Our Values
Theology
It is important to understand the theology that underpins the very fabric of our school. The term “rooted in love” makes reference to the biblical passage in Ephesians 3:17-19, which speaks about being rooted and established in love, and having the power to comprehend the vastness of God’s love. In this passage Paul explains that love is the foundation of our faith and the source of our strength and endurance. He also describes that our relationship with God is built on love and that our love for God and others should be the driving force behind our actions and decisions. Therefore, the theology of being rooted in love is centred on the belief that love is the ultimate expression of our faith, and when we are rooted in God’s love, we are able to bear fruit that reflects His love to others. Fundamentally Ephesians encapsulates our connection to God, our connection to Christ and our connection to one another.
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Vision
Olveston CEVC Primary School is a deeply caring community which recognises our responsibility to show love and respect to all. We aim to provide an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. Our children are ‘rooted in love’, underpinned, explained above, by the biblical verse ‘Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong’ (Ephesians 3:17). We believe that this will empower them to stand up for what they believe in, for themselves and others; give them strength to be resilient in an ever changing world and afford them the foundations upon which they may become passionate lifelong learners. Our hope for our children is that they leave us with the ‘roots of responsibility and the wings of independence’, so that they may go forth and make the world a brighter place.
Christian Distinctiveness
Olveston CEVC Primary School aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian Belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experiences it offers to all its pupils. As a Church of England Primary School we promote a Christian ethos and an understanding of the beliefs and traditions of the Christian faith as interpreted by the Church of England. Christian based assemblies are held every day and children are encouraged to develop a reflective spirituality. Prayers are said every day.
We nurture and develop children’s love of learning through an inclusive school environment. Our distinctive Christian ethos permeates all aspects of school life, developing confident and respectful learners. We value being at the heart of the local community, linking school, church and families; past, present and future. Our forward looking school has British values at its core, challenging and inspiring children to develop the independence and resilience to guide them through life as citizens of the world.
Olveston CEVC Primary School aims to provide each child with the opportunity to achieve his or her potential regardless of background. We endeavour to do this by promoting the whole child: spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical. While in our care, we want every child to believe that they are amazing, loved, valued, wonderful and unique, because God made them that way.
‘Anything is possible if a person believes’ Mark 9:23
Spirituality
We consider it important that children are given strong moral and spiritual guidance as part of their education, so they are able to judge right from wrong and develop their own spirituality.
At Olveston CEVC Primary School we believe that spiritual development is not necessarily religious but is a ‘concern to foster the growth of the human spirit’. We consider that spiritual development is about helping children to develop academically but more importantly personally so that they become well rounded and ready to take their place in society fulfilled, happy, spiritually aware as well as socially and emotionally engaged. We believe that spirituality is essential for personal happiness. No child is complete without spiritual engagement, be it through art, music, literature, nature etc.
‘Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to be angry’ James 1:19
Christian Values
We teach the Christian values explicitly through our daily collective worship, using the publication Values for Life as a starting point. This is then extended into the classroom and in to daily life in school. In addition to Values for Life we visit the Church for significant events.
As our pupils are at the heart of our Christian family, they chose values which they believe is at the heart of their school journey: KINDNESS, FRIENDSHIP. HAPPINESS, RESPECT, COURAGE, SUCCESS the children have chosen Bible teachings to root these values to God’s love for us.
‘Every weakness you have is an opportunity for God to show his strength in your life’ 2 Corinthians 12:9
