Our vision is rooted in our history as a school established by the Church in 1844 to serve the needs of the poor. Founded in God’s love, we continue to uphold this foundation by being a school where everyone is valued, included, and welcomed. This commitment to meeting the needs of all who come into contact with our school fosters a strong sense of belonging. We see ourselves as a family—bound together by care, respect, and a shared purpose—working for the good of everyone.

We believe in nurturing each individual’s love of learning, helping every child and adult to grow, achieve, and flourish in their own unique way. Our values and the gifts and talents within our community are not only for ourselves, but to be shared with others—like a light that shines outwards. We aim to be a beacon of Jesus’ love, bringing hope, compassion, and positive change to the world through our actions.

Our vision is inspired by the Bible passage Matthew 5:14–16:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Understanding the Passage

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us that we are called to be a light in the world—visible and active in sharing God’s love, compassion, and forgiveness. His sacrifice on the cross shows us just how far God is willing to go to be in relationship with us. Now, we are called to carry that light forward—to reflect God's love and to let it shine through our lives and actions.

This passage reminds us that our values and gifts are not meant to be hidden or kept for ourselves. Just as a lamp is placed high to light a whole room, we too are called to live visibly and purposefully—demonstrating goodness, kindness, and love in all we do. Through our actions, others can experience God’s love, and together we can make a difference in the world.

Why This Matters for Our School

We believe education is about more than just academic learning. Our role is to support the full development of every individual—child and adult—grounded in a strong moral and spiritual foundation. The values we live by shape our relationships, guide our choices, and define our school’s identity as a distinctively Christian community.

We aim to be a light not only to those within our school, but also to the wider world—promoting compassion, justice, and hope through the way we live and learn together.

Our Core Values

From our vision and the teachings of Jesus, we have developed five core values that guide our daily life and relationships at school:

• Compassion – Like Jesus, who came for those in need, we show understanding and kindness to everyone, helping to make our community truly inclusive.

• Hope – In life’s challenges, we persevere with strength and faith, trusting that God’s love is constant and unfailing.

• Forgiveness – We forgive others as God forgives us, knowing that reconciliation is key to building and maintaining healthy relationships.

• Thankfulness – We are grateful for all we have, recognising that even small blessings are gifts, and that gratitude brings joy and contentment.

• Love – At the heart of all we do is love—for God, for one another, and for the world. Love is the foundation of every value we hold.