In 2019, we consulted all members of our school community – parents, governors, staff and our children – to ask them for their suggestions for a Bible quote which they felt truly encapsulated the Christian Ethos and values of our school. We asked for suggestions from all these stakeholders and were blessed with an amazing response of more than twenty suggestions. During the summer term, governors discussed and reviewed all of the suggestions, and were grateful for the amount of time and thought which had gone into sending them in. At a committee meeting, these were narrowed down to nine:

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is (Luke 6:13)

Stand firm in the faith and do everything with love (1Corinthians 16:13)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up (1Thessalonians 5:11)

Love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12)

Show your love for others by truly helping them (John 3:18)

Earn respect of others, and do your best to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:17-18)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they shall not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6)

Cultivate kindness (Proverbs 3:3)

Shortly after, children, staff, governors and parents were asked to vote on the shortlist – messages were sent to parents on dojo, children held votes in their classes, and a coffee morning was held in school, after the end of year service,  for parents and family members to come along to discuss and share their ideas. As a community, it was decided that the quote would be:

Stand firm in the faith and do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:13)