In our first year as part of the DCET we were focussing on recognising and understanding our collective values.

This year are we are extending our thinking about the values. We are still working on knowing and recognising the values but thinking more about how the values influence our behaviour and decisions both in school and at home. We are focussing on how our values enable us to  achieve our vision. Moving forward, we will be looking at our mission. 

*New for September 2023 - our Year 6 pupils gave some feedback before they left us in the summer on the values. One of the things they wanted was for the children at St Jo's to be able to recognise each other when they showed the values and so they created "recognition" slips which anyone can fill in and pop in the values box! Each week we will share the names of those who have been recognised and celebrate how they have shown the vaues.

Term 1 Value focus - Stewardship

During term 1 we focus on our value of Stewardship. 

Stewardship, quite simply, is recognising that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God and being grateful and generous with those gifts.

As Pope Francis explains,

It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world, as the Book of Genesis tells us and as Saint Francis of Assisi showed us. It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live.

— Pope Francis, March 19, 2013

The children at St Joseph's have explored what makes a good steward and how we can be good stewards in our community. Our Friday liturgy has been focussed on Stewardship to help develop the children's knowledge and understanding. 

What makes a good steward / How can we show that we are stewards of creation?

Y3

• Cleaning litter with litter picker​

• Walk to places rather than take the car​

• Turn off the lights when not in room​

• Plant new trees​

• Don't' leave the tap on when you brush your teeth and you will save 18 glasses of water!!​

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Y4 

• To help your parents at home and do chores so they have less to do ​

• Recycling, to look after the environment​

• Turning off lights when you leave a room​

• When you can, walk to places rather than driving.​

• To help those in need or who are less fortunate than you. ​

Y5  

• Tucking in a chair​

• Tidy a mess​

• Caring for the world​

• Someone who always tries to make the world a better plac​

• Turn off lights, taps​

• Listen, don't hear – make sure we act ​

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Y6

• Going on litter picks to help your area​

• Turning off the lights when you are not in the room​

• When you're brushing your teeth turn off the tap​

• Walk to school to prevent car fumes​

•  Planting new trees and wild flowers

Term 2 Value focus - Respect

Our focus this term is on Respect. 

We used remembrance day as a way of showing our respect for those who lost their lives in conflict. Our "Poppy Tree" gave the community a chance to pay their personal respect to love ones. As part of Anti-Bullying week we remembered that each and every one of us are special, unique and created in the image of God. 

Remembering those who gave their lives long ago is an important act that honours those who have passed and reminds us of the bravery of our current-day veterans and active-duty members of the Armed Forces, some of whom have also died or been injured in the service of our nation.  At the Remembrance Day parade on Sunday, Mrs Green presented a Poppy Wreath on behalf of everyone at St Joseph's School.

How can we show respect?

Y3

If someone is sad, invite them to your game​

Listen carefully to our teachers​

Respect other peoples ideas in your class​

Listen and be kind about other peoples opinions​

Treat others how you wish to be treated​

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​Y4 ​

Treat others how you want to be treated​

Always offer to play with others, even if they are different to you​

Offer to help you parents with chores at home​

Don't argue with people, even if they don't have the same opinion as you​

To know that everyone is different, and that is okay.​

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​Y5 

1. No silly noises when my friends are speaking aloud in class.​
2. Listen to others when you don't agree with them.​
3. Help others when they don't realize they need it. ​
4. Use please and thank you even when you are having a rough day. ​
5. Turn off the lights, tidy up after yourselves.​

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Y6 

Look after our planet.​

If someone is talking show active listening.​

Listen to parents.​

Do things without being asked.​

Help someone in need.

Term 3 Value focus - Curiosity 

Our focus this term is on Curiosity 

At St Joseph's we want our children to be curious about the world around them and encourage them to ask questions about our wonderful world. We want to inspire them to have a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn.

"The important thing is to never stop questionning" Albert Einstein 

How can we show Curiosity in school and at home?

Y3 

• Use the internet to find out things
• Ask our parents or grandparents about things
• Look in books
• Ask a friend a question
• Go to the library ​

Y4

• Ask lots of questions to find out more
• Go to an interesting place and find out more about it
• Reading fiction books and watching documentaries
• Looking up words in dictionaries
• Looking at newspapers, watching the news and looking up facts​

Y5

• Reseach using books or Chromebooks
• Ask lots of questions in lessons
• Research something we are interested in
• Create a fact file
• Watching TV

Y6

• Ask questions to find out more
• Try and learn more about the world (maybe using books)
• At home we could use technology to help us to research things.
• Write prayers and ask questions.
• Find out more about the world using newspapers/news/magazine/articles.​

Term 4 Value focus - Forgiveness

Our focus this term is on Forgiveness - Forgiveness is the art of letting go and moving on.

Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

When we have been hurt by another, it can be very difficult to come to terms with the woundedness we feel. But by accepting and embracing our own wounds we open a door to forgiveness and new life. Too often people hoard grudges in their hearts which eventually affect their ability to develop healthy human relationships.

One of the most important skills we each need is that of knowing how to forgive. There is an African proverb which states: ‘He who forgives ends the quarrel.’ Forgiveness builds us up and helps us move on; whereas revenge destroys and creates bitterness. Forgiving helps us to heal our own wounds.

How can we show Forgiveness in school and at home?

KS1:

When my mum asked me to tidy my room, and I didn't do it. Later on I did and I said sorry to my mum. 

When I was fighting with my brother, I pushed him and then I said sorry. 

When I've hurt someone at school, I always say sorry. 

When I had an argument with *, we both said sorry to each other. 

When I broke my mums mug, I then said sorry! 

Y3:

Say sorry

Be kind even if someone has been unkind

Play with them

Talk through your problem

Shake hands

Y4:

If someone is unkind to you but then apologise, you can forgive them to hold a grudge

If someone annoyed you in the playground yesterday, it is important to try to play with them today to show empathy and kindness

Always play with others even if you have fallen out and you do not have to bring it up again

Smile to others and be positive to show you have forgiven them

Try and do something nice to those who have previously hurt your feelings – show with your body and actions that you are ready to forgive. 

Y5:
Be kind to each other

Be tender hearted

Forgive one another, Jesus forgives so I must too

Move on (don’t hold a grudge).

Y6:

Forgive our brothers and sisters by playing with them

Don’t hold a grudge (say sorry and move on)

Say sorry

Don’t get cross with others if they make a mistake or do things by accident

God forgave Jonah so we would follow his example.

Term 5 Value focus - Love 

This term we are focussing on our value of Love. Love is when you care about someone or something and you try very hard to take care of them and keep them safe. This term we will be thinking about what Love means to us and how God want's us to show love to others.

Term 6 Value focus - Resilience

This term our focus is on our value of Resilience. We have defined Resilience as:

"Bouncing back after challenges, when things get tough or go wrong - to never give up. Always trying your best and not being afraid to make mistakes. Standing up for yourself and what you believe in. Being the best person you can be!

"Don't be afraid and panic as God is with you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid to try anything, for Jesus will be with you". Deuteronomy 31:6