Term 1, Autumn: Forgiveness & Peace 

This term we will be looking at the values of Forgiveness and Peace.

We will be considering the strategies we have in place to encourage children to appreciate quietness and opportunities for quiet reflection; to be able to acknowledge that we all make mistakes and we all need forgiveness from each other.

We will be encouraging the children to solve their differences in a constructive way and develop their skills as peacemakers, looking at opportunities to introduce children to issues of peace and justice both locally and internationally.

Children will also be encouraged to understand that forgiveness and acceptance builds the life of the school community.

A Christian Perspective on Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the means by which damaged relationships are restored. It is an act of the will, motivated by love.

For Christians, Jesus’ death on a cross it the ultimate revelation of God’s all forgiving love, and his sacrifice stands a source of inspiration to forgive others, no matter what the cost.

A Christian Perspective on Peace

Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9).

Peace-making actions can range from helping to resolve conflict to creating space for stillness. Peace, in the sense of total well-being, is God’s intention for the whole of creation, and is a promise that awaits ultimate fulfilment.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's PEACE and FORGIVENESS activity sheets. Click the titles to download your copy:

> PEACE ACTIVITY SHEET

> FORGIVENESS ACTIVITY SHEET 

Term 2, Autumn: Tolerance & Respect

This term we are looking at the values of respect and tolerance.

As a whole school community, we will be considering:

> How we are given the opportunity in school to experience feelings of awe, wonder and mystery.

> How we show respect for each other and adults in the school community.

> How children are encouraged to value and respect their own and other people’s belongings

> How children are encouraged to show tolerance by accepting feelings, habits or beliefs, racial or ethnic origins that are different from their own

A Christian Perspective.

The nature of God, as revealed in the Bible, presents all people with a choice. Those whose response is one of respect are acknowledging God’s greatness, authority and involvement in the world. This will extend to respect for the created order, including humanity made in the image of God.

> seeking out opportunities to experience feelings of awe, wonder and mystery;

> explore the places and objects we have around school that are “holy or sacred” and which help us reflect and wonder;

> experience how special words, sacramental actions or religious symbols are used to challenge and inform children’s understanding of God; 

> to encourage children to value and respect their own and other people’s belongings.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's RESPECT activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

There are many children’s books that teach tolerance and encourage their readers to be respectful of all types of people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality. Here are some top quotes:

A person’s a person no matter how small.

Dr Seuss, Horton Hears a Who!

We all live with the objective of being happy: our lives are all different and yet the same.

Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

What was it about the differences in others that scared some people so much?

Malorie Blackman, Noughts and Crosses

Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.

Kingsley Shacklebolt via JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

What exactly was the difference? he wondered to himself. And who decided which people wore the striped pyjamas and which people wore the uniforms?

John Boyne, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 

This planet is for everyone, borders are for no one. It’s all about freedom.

Benjamin Zephaniah, Refugee Boy

Any problem can be solved between people if only they can trust each other.

Michael Morpurgo, War Horse

Term 3, Spring: Hope & Humility

This term we are looking at the values of hope and humility.

Hope is about much more than just wishing as hard as we can that things will be different. It is about believing that the world can be better and being prepared to do something! Noah (in the story on the activity sheets) was willing to look silly in front of his neighbours by building a huge boat even though he lived miles from the ocean, because he hoped and believed that God had a plan. 

Christians believe that Jesus was both servant and king. He demonstrated this through His life, death and resurrection. Jesus taught his disciples what it means to be truly humble. Christians believe that they can serve God by demonstrating humility through their attitudes and actions. This approach to life often runs contrary to many role-models presented to children in the media and popular culture.

As a whole school community, we will be considering:

> How all members of our school community be of service to one another;

> How we can be empathetic and sympathetic to the experiences of others;

> How we create an ethos in which children and adults are confident to ask for, and receive, help from others

> What our hopes and dreams for the future are and what we can do to help them happen

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's HOPE activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

Term 4, Spring: Trust & Truthfulness

This term we are looking at the values of trust and truthfulness. We will also be looking at the British Value of The Rule of Law. 

We will be considering the following:

> How does our school encourage all members of the school community to be truthful and trustworthy in their dealings with one another?

> How do we help our pupils to understand that life is about a search for truth and meaning?

> How does our school community understand the concept of being true to ourselves? (i.e. standing up for one’s own beliefs)

> How, as a school, we can help our children make informed moral choices? 

A Christian Perspective on Trust

Christian's see trust as the bases of all stable relationships. Also reflecting as a whole school community on how we show children in practical ways what it means to have trust in others, how we can demonstrate sensitively the repercussions when trust is broken and how role models can show us different kinds of trust that work in our school community and the wider world.

A Christian Perspective on Truthfulness

Christians believe that truth is revealed in the Bible and supremely in the person and life of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ teaching we are given an insight into the nature of God and the way in which He means us to live.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's activity sheets. Click the images below to download your copies.

Term 5, Summer: Friendship & Generosity

At this difficult time for the world, our values for this term are appropriately, Friendship and Generosity. In our assemblies and class work, we will be exploring these themes and considering the British Values of Mutual Respect and Tolerance. These ideas have taken on new and even more powerful significance in our country and world since the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives. 

> How can we support and encourage friendship bonds by creating opportunities for children to play and work cooperatively and collaboratively in these times of social distancing?

> How can we show generosity in both our words and actions and understand the concept of giving without seeking any reward?

> Can we find ways to recognise the importance of being generous with time, spirit and talents as well as with material objects? 

A Christian Perspective on Generosity:

God’s generosity is best described as “grace” - love given freely without limit or conditions. This generosity, once experienced and acknowledged by an individual, can in turn release a generous spirit towards others.

A Christian Perspective on Friendship:

Christians believe they can call God their friend because of the relationship made possible through Jesus.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's FRIENDSHIP and GENEROSITY activity sheets. Click the images below to download your copy.

Term 6, Summer: Courage & Wisdom

It continues to be a difficult time for the world in lots of ways, and our values for this term are particularly important: Courage & Wisdom. In our online assemblies (https://www.st-marys-purton.wilts.sch.uk/) and class work we will be exploring these themes and considering the British Values of Individual Liberty. These ideas have taken on new and even more powerful significance in our country and world since the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives. 

> How are pupils encouraged to act responsibly and think about the wisdom of their words and actions?

> How in the curriculum do we enable children to consider the importance of thoughtfulness and wisdom and appreciate the wisdom of others?

> How do we encourage others to share their fears and worries and help members of our school community when they are facing difficult times?

> How do we encourage pupils to reflect on what is of real value in life?

A Christian Perspective on Courage

Basic to Christian faith is the claim that God is always present in every situation. This belief has led to great acts of courage that have included facing danger and opposition, overcoming fear, making a stand for what is right and encouraging others to persevere. Through prayer people have found the strength to help them to be courageous.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's COURAGE activity sheets. Click here to download your copy.

A Christian Perspective on Wisdom:

Christians believe that true wisdom comes from God. As a believer grows in faith so wisdom will increase. In the Bible wisdom is seen both as a gift from God and a characteristic of God. In his parables Jesus taught that placing trust in God and recognising what is of value in life brings fulfilment.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's WISDOM activity sheets. Click here to download your copy.

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