Our Vision
Inspired by Scripture
During the Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses a crowd and reveals eight blessings (known as The Beatitudes). He then goes on to explain:
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16
As a Christian school family, we take great encouragement from the words "you are the light of the world"; this reveals to us that Jesus, who himself tells us "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12), is within all of us. We are all God's children and are called to "give glory" to our Father in heaven through our "good works". This reminds us of the importance of our actions. Our actions allow us to let our light shine. Our actions allow us to share the light of Jesus with those around us, transforming society and enacting positive change.
We want our school and church to be beacons that shine far and wide, transforming our community with the light of Jesus.
Being our best
At St. Anne's, we believe that every child and adult can shine. We recognise that we are all special in God’s eyes and have unique talents and skills, which we nurture so that each of us has the opportunity to become the very best person that God intended us to be. We want to see everyone being inspired and growing in wisdom, knowledge and dignity. We want to see children flourishing and excelling in all that they do through providing rich experiences which give everyone the opportunity to achieve. We do not want the amazing talents and skills that we have to be hidden. We want to encourage our children to aspire to great things and for the light of their lives to shine and make a difference in their classrooms, throughout the school and, when they return home, into their community. As we all demonstrate our school values our hope is that light will shine from St. Anne's in many ways, every day - for the benefit of all and for the glory of God.
Valuing Ourselves
We believe that developing a sense of self-worth is of paramount importance. When he was on earth, Jesus once said: ‘I am the light of the world’ (John 8:12). However, as he spoke to those around him during the Sermon on the Mount, he also used these words: ‘You are the light of the world’. In addition to letting their light shine on others, we want our children to recognise the value of their own light: to be proud of their personal achievements; to value and respect themselves; and to know how loved they are both by God and by others. We aim to develop a Growth Mindset so that the members of our school are able to face the future with hope and aspiration and embrace all that life has to offer.
The words of the Sermon on the Mount remind us that a light should not be put under a bushel – it should give light to everyone, including oneself. In possession of God’s light and His love, it is possible for us all to show something of his light in our families, in our school, in our community and throughout the world.
Our Values
Inspire - Parable of the Lamp - Mark 4
21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given[a]—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
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Care - The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Luke 15
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Respect - The Parable of the Good Samaritan - Luke 10
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”