Our School Virtues
From April 2022, our school launched Our School Virtues based on the work in the Diocese of Leeds on virtues and character education. (See companion documents here dioceseofleeds.org.uk/education/re-catholic-life/character-education).
Our School Virtues enables us all to explore each virtue over the period of a year with the overarching aim of improve the school community’s virtue literacy and to deepen understanding and appreciation of the essential role that virtues play in the education of the whole person towards human flourishing.
The school focuses on one virtue each half term. The children think about what the virtue means, how we can see it in others and how we can manifest it in ourselves. When children are seen by adults living out this virtue, a coloured token is rewarded to them. These tokens are added to each class’ token jar and are converted into Dojo points. The class with the most tokens at the end of each half term receive a reward of their choosing.
Acts of worship and class liturgies also link to the virtue and, from September 2022, displays in communal areas of school will help children live out each virtue.
Our virtues have been chosen to reflect the time of year for our children. So for example, we have ‘Courage’ at the beginning of the year when we are beginning a new school year with a new class teacher and ‘Solidarity’ for the Advent 2 term to develop and promote that we’re all part of a class and school community.
Read more about each virtue below:
Faith: What does Faith look like at St. Philip Neri with St. Bede’s?
We pray with others, attend assemblies, actively plan worship, contribute to worship, work on mission, take part in RE, be like Jesus (kind, thoughtful, thinking of others, charitable), forgive, say sorry, talk to God, trust God.
“All things are possible for those who believe.” MARK 9:23
Hope: What does Hope look like at St. Philip Neri with St. Bede’s?
We are prayerful, talk to God, believe that good things will happen, hold onto hope and pass it on to others, plan for a good future.
“I have good plans for you” says the Lord, “I plan to give you hope and a good future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Love: What does Love look like at St. Philip Neri with St. Bede’s?
We show concern for others, act unselfishly, let others play, use manners, play with each other, use kind words, helpful hands, listening ears and try our hardest to be a good friend.
“We love because God loved us first.” 1 John 4:19
Justice: What does Justice look like at St. Philip Neri with St. Bede‘s?
We see other people’s point of view, be honest, trustworthy, kind. Understand what the world can look like for others, let everyone have an opinion, know St Philip’s is fair, pupils get what they need and deserve.
“The Lord does what is right and he loves justice. Honest people will see his face.” Psalm 11:7
Courage: What does Courage look like at St. Philip Neri with St. Bede‘s?
We will try new things, have patience and perseverance when trying a new skill, have resilience when things go wrong and determination to keep trying. Take risks, stand up for others, speak out in class and assembly, contribute and make an impact.
“Be strong and brave. Don’t be frightened. The Lord your God will go with you. He will not leave you or forget you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Solidarity: What does Solidarity look like at St. Philip Neri with St. Bede‘s?
We work well as a team – in the classroom and around school, working with our school council, chaplains and eco-teams. We share ideas, talents, include everyone in everything, respect everyone. We strive to be a good citizen.
“In Christ, there is no difference … You are all the same in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
Temperance: What does Temperance look like at St. Philip Neri with St. Bede‘s?
We show self-control of feelings, actions and thoughts, remain calm, patient, show strength of humility and forgiveness, live simply, love learning and have a sense of humour.
“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” 2 Timothy 1:7
Sense: What does Sense look like at St. Philip Neri with St. Bede‘s?
We have the will to do the right thing, be thoughtful and reflective, make the right decisions, have practical wisdom and ask “What would Jesus do?” Think before you act and speak. Be forgiving of others.
“Good sense makes us slow to anger and it is His glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11
Charitable Acts
As a Catholic school, we are fully committed to providing opportunities for our pupils to grow as missionary disciples of Christ. Charitable acts forms part of this. So far this year, we’ve already raised £624.33 for CAFOD’s Go Green campaign.
Further to this, all children throughout school were provided with the opportunity to research and present to their peers information about a charity. Following the presentations, class votes were counted and the charities that each class will support this year were chosen. Click below to see which charities each class are supporting this year.
CAFOD LiveSimply Award
In order to support our pupils to care for our common home, we are about to embark on an exciting journey called the CAFOD LiveSimply Award. We are confident that by working towards this Award, it will help our children develop their response to Pope Francis’ invitation in Laudato Si’ to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”.
The LiveSimply Award is earned by communities and schools who can show how they have been living:
- simply
- in solidarity with people in poverty
- sustainably with creation.
If you would like to see how we intend to LiveSimply, please view our Action Plan below.
Prayers
Prayer forms part of daily school life at St. Philip Neri with St. Bede. Our daily prayers can be found below:
