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Our Vision

Our Vision and values

St. Matthew’s, as a ‘gift of God’, aims to serve the community and the common good by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian beliefs and practice. 

We offer strong leadership with an approach which provides a broad and balanced curriculum that fosters all elements of children’s growth as learners.  This is supported by a strong Christian Vision and an embedded set of Christian values along with a strong Christian character.

 

“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.” [Matthew 5: 14-16]

 

'Let your light shine!'

Our Vision for our community is based on Matthew 5. Just as Matthew’s Gospel encourages Christians to act in a way that is different so that God’s light shines out of them, we want our school community to shine their lights' brightly, valuing each individual for the unique skills, knowledge and talents that they have. We hope that God’s light will shine brightly from the St Matthew’s community showing that everyone is truly valued and enabled to flourish.

Our Mission

Is to work to support and ensure all pupils and staff flourish and excel in their aspirations.  We value and welcome all God's children to our St Matthew's family.

St Matthew’s C of E Primary and Nursery Academy will put the children at the very heart of what we do.

In the course of their daily work the staff will contribute to the development of our school's Christian vision of, ' Let your light shine!' by: 

  • Actively working towards helping all children flourish.
  • Providing an effective learning environment at all times, in which each child is encouraged to have high aspirations, take learning risks and make ‘new’ mistakes.
  • Providing a welcoming, safe and nurturing environment, in which politeness, kindness and mutual respect are fostered and modelled by adults and children alike.
  • Promoting the language of learning and encouraging children to see themselves as confident, successful learners with high self efficacy.

Our Christian Values

Our Christian Values have been chosen by staff, governors , pupil and parents. We have chosen Love, Forgiveness, Courage, Hope, Trust and Truth. Together they help us to remember to 'Let your light shine!'

  • Love
  • Forgiveness
  • Courage
  • Hope
  • Trust
  • Truth

'Love your neighbour as yourself. ’There is no commandment greater than these.'

Love: Mark 12:31

'Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive others.'

Forgiveness: Colossians 3:13

'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.'

Courage: Joshua 1:9


'We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.'

Hope: Hebrews 6:19

'Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.'

Trust: Psalm 20:7

‘I am the way, the truth and the life’

Truth: John 14:6

  • Celebrating success through learning and values certificates;
  • Creating an open, inclusive ethos where children  and adults can be themselves, develop courtesy, respect and tolerance for others;
  • Promoting mental health and wellbeing through our curriculum as well as using in house and external agency support;
  • Promoting equality of opportunity outlined in our policies;
  • Having clear behaviour expectations, where children  are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions'
  • Taking an active interest in our service and more vulnerable families.
  • to celebrate diversity, different festivals and key celebrations in  the year;
  • to learn about our nation and its heritage, for example Remembrance service;
  • to learn about Key British leaders, explorers and inventors;
  • to use of our local area;
  • to encourage a sense of community and responsibility eg;  the local Church, police and fire services;
  • to learn about cultures and faiths; how are we different from one another, and how we are the same,
  • to understand Plymouth as part of a global community; learning about and communicating with children from across the world.
  • enable our children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
  • enable our children to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
  • encourage our children to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of our Academy and to society more widely;
  • enable our children to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
  • further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling our children to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
  • encourage respect for other people; 
  • encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

We are part of a British society, and it is important to us that children learn the universal principles of:

  • Self-help
  • Self-responsibility
  • Democracy
  • Equality
  • Equity
  • Solidarity
  • Openness
  • Honesty
  • Social responsibility
  • Caring for others