Vision 

 

Jesus said, “I tell you Peter, you are a rock and on this rock foundation I will build my church.”

(Matthew 16:18)

At Walsh Church of England Junior School we strive to be like Saint Peter, answering God’s call to us, challenging ourselves and showing resilience, even if learning gets difficult. We aim to follow the example set by Jesus as Peter did, to live our lives in peace, and in fellowship with others and the world around us. By showing love and encouragement, by having high expectations and high aspirations for all, by recognising uniqueness and celebrating every achievement, we seek to develop well balanced, independent, resilient and tolerant young people who will be the best that they can be.

 Values

We strive to create a school community where everyone is 'Achieving through Fellowship, Resilience and Peace'.

 

Fellowship

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing now. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

At Walsh Church of England Junior School everyone is part of one big team,  we are kind to each other, we support one another and we work and have fun together. We recognise that we are also part of a much bigger local and world community where we can also play our part in caring for others and the world around us. 

 

Resilience

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power Christ gives me. (Philippians 4:13) 

 At Walsh Church of England Junior we work hard and aim high to achieve as much as we can. We acknowledge that making mistakes is a necessary part of learning and growing, and that everyone makes mistakes.  We try our best to make the most of opportunities that we are given and we try not to give up but to persevere, with the support and kindness of those around us. 

 

Peace

Strive for perfection; agree with one another; live in Peace. And the God of Love and Peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11)

At Walsh Church of England Junior we understand that everyone is unique, we all have individual strengths, and talents. We embrace and celebrate our differences. We try hard to be patient and understanding, we listen and we share, We are kind and calm towards each other in our words and actions. We aim to be peace bringers and peace makers. 

 

 

Theological Background

 

Walsh Church of England Junior School is linked to Saint Peter’s Church in Ash. When considering how we can show resilience and have faith in ourselves to achieve our vision we think about Saint Peter. The Bible tells us that God used a person like Saint Peter for greatness. He was just an ordinary man. He had doubts, just like we all do. He stumbled. Even so, Jesus saw so much potential in him that he made him the leader of His Church. We have high expectations and aspirations for all. We want to nurture every individual in our school community to have the confidence to be the best they can be.

 

Peter was originally called Simon but Jesus renamed him Peter which means rock. He was the rock upon which the church was built. This reminds us that we are part of a bigger community and if we do the right things it will impact everyone around us and across the world.

 

Peter continued to make mistakes time and again, but Jesus, as is His nature, loved Peter wholeheartedly and continued to use him in His kingdom’s work. This reminds us to be compassionate, kind and forgiving. At Walsh Junior school we believe in fresh starts and that mistakes are part of the learning process.

 

After a vision, Peter went to the house of a Gentile named Cornelius. At this time, it was against the “law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.’” (Acts 10:28 NIV). Yet, knowing what the Lord wanted, Peter led Cornelius and his family to Christ and witnessed them receiving the Holy Spirit. Peter then baptised the family in the name of Jesus. This reminds us that we are a school family. You don’t have to be a particular faith or come from a particular place - we are all Team Walsh because we are members of Walsh Church of England Junior School.

 

When they met, Jesus told Peter to follow Him (Matthew 4:19). Then, after Jesus’ resurrection, and at the special breakfast on the shore where Jesus restored Peter, His last recorded words to him were once again, “Follow me!” (John 21:19). When you follow someone, you imitate what they do from your position behind them. Peter went behind Jesus and shadowed Him, seeking to learn and be like Christ in all his ways. In the same way, we are all learning at Walsh Church of England Junior School – all following someone and trying to achieve with all our might.

 

Saint Peter was called by God into a loving relationship with himself and others. He was an ordinary man who had doubts and made mistakes; he was also loyal, compassionate, kind and forgiving.