Values and Ethos as a Church School

Responsibility, Enjoyment, Security, Politeness, Effort, Care, Tolerance

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

On this page you will find information about Dunnington C of E Primary School as a church school.

Our Mission Statement and School Values are based around a strong Christian ethos which underpin all that we do.

Dunnington C E Primary School

Growing and learning together to be the best that we can be, in an environment based on Christian Values

Responsibility, Enjoyment, Security, Politeness, Effort, Care, Tolerance

Our Christian Vision

Dunnington C E Primary School is a place where we encourage children to develop enquiring minds, a lifelong love of learning and a respect for one another and the world in which they live.

It is rooted theologically in Proverbs 22:6, ‘Start children off in the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.’ and 1 Peter 3:8 ‘Be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.’

COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

We hold daily acts of Collective Worship which are broadly Christian in nature, whilst also celebrating and embracing other major world faiths. Worship is led by clergy and lay readers from St Nicholas Church and also by the Minister from the local Methodist church. School staff regularly lead Worship and pupils also prepare and feed into ideas for celebration.

CHRISTIAN VALUES

We are currently looking at Christian values within the context of The Lord’s Prayer, joining in with the York Diocese ‘Journey Through the Bible’. We will be working through lines of the Lord’s Prayer over each half term, considering what Christian values can be drawn from them, and learning about Old and New Testament passages, as well as practical examples, which help us to understand the Lord’s Prayer. The values, as well as our Lord’s Prayer focus, are referenced in the day-to-day life of the school, and celebrated in our reflective areas in classrooms.

This is centrally displayed to provide a focal point for the school. Children are frequently invited to contribute thoughts or prayers based on this theme and these are also displayed . The term’s bible verse underpins the daily life of the school and our aim is to embed it fully so that it is relevant and ‘real’ to pupils, staff and parents.

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP IN SCHOOL

Children are regularly encouraged to contribute to collective worship, with thoughts, ideas and prayers. Children will assist in different ways, such as setting up resources and opening collective worship time with a selected prayer or bible verse. In addition to this, children actively contribute practical ideas to how we can show our values in action.

REFLECTION CORNERS

Each class has a special area for reflection and prayer. This provides a quiet focus for daily collective thought . Themes for reflection are broadly based around the term’s Christian value and each week we celebrate the achievements of children who have shown particular empathy or application of that value.

REMEMBRANCE

This was a very special event for everyone.

Each pupil made a poppy shaped night light holder. The staff set them out in the shape of a giant star and then each candle was lit. The children sat in complete silence as we watched the light from the candles grow. We played very spiritual music by Faure and Elgar to set an atmosphere of respect and remembrance. Teachers read poems, readings and prayers.

The occasion was very moving and something we will always remember.

VISITORS FOR COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

We like to welcome visitors from many different faiths and christian denominations. We love to hear about the way in which their faith helps them lead their lives. We are also interested in the many similarities there are between the values and principles of all religions.

Richard Safhill came to visit.

Richard is from the York Quaker Community. He spoke to the whole school about the way in which Quakers worship together and he led us in silent reflection. We all found it very interesting and informative. Thank you Richard!

A visit from Ben Rich of York Liberal Jewish Community.

It was really interesting. Ben brought a very special Torah to show us.It contains writings from the first few books of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible. He also told us about the Jewish synagogues and most importantly, reminded us all that Jesus was a Jew.

Abid Salik from York mosque and Islamic Centre

Abid is the Iman at York Mosque. He visited us to teach us about Islam. We learnt about the sacred text of the Quran and discovered it shared much of the same material as the Christian Old Testament. We also learnt about the Mosque and that Muslims pray five times a day.

Suki Matharu

Suki Matharu from the Sikh community brought many interesting items to teach us about Sikhism.We learnt that a Sikh place of worship is called a Gurdwara and that Sikhs are very hospitable, welcoming everyone of all faiths to join them in meals in the Gurdwara.

Suki showed us how to tie a turban.

She demonstrated on Father Nick!

Each term YOYO comes in to deliver Collective Worship, based on a Christian theme, such as Easter, Harvest or Christmas. Here are some pictures from their Christmas visit.