Wisdom

The Bible talks of wisdom as a gift from God. Wisdom is not just about how clever someone is; it is about how we use our knowledge to make the right choices and decisions , being prepared to listen to the advice of others, thinking before you speak and choosing silence over words.

At Norton CEVC Primary School, wisdom involves considering others, deliberating over the issues, reflecting on the long view and taking into account all possible consequences.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (NIV)

Compassion

We teach children that their attitudes and actions must reflect kindness and compassion. Compassion is much stronger than sympathy; if you have compassion you step into someone’s shoes, share their experiences and sufferings and want to support them or act on their behalf.   It is not just feeling sorry for someone but actually doing something about making their life or situation better.

Compassion is about ‘standing in someone else’s shoes’ when they are having a hard time. In other words, trying to understand how they might be feeling and doing our best to try to help.

Compassion requires an act of imagination and humility to share in the lives of others. Notice the qualities that Paul links together. He says ‘clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’ (Colossians 3:12)

Courage

Courage is a core value for our church school because God asks us to be brave in the face of hardship.

In the book of Joshua, God tells his people to ‘Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.’ This reminds us to stand against injustice and to be the best we can be when things are difficult. We have courage to stand by our beliefs and are committed to what is right and true.

Perseverance

Jesus frequently encouraged his disciples to ‘endure patiently’ the difficulties and obstacles they encountered and to persevere in the face of adversity.

He himself trusted in God even when his enemies tried to stop his work and plotted his death

Endurance is needed when standing firm in the face of any difficulty. It is the special gift that we have when life is difficult or painful that helps us not to give up. At Norton we encourage children to ‘keeping going’ and ‘not giving up’.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me Philippians 4:13

Community

Through Christ we all share fellowship with one another as one big family. Koinonia comes from the Greek word meaning community or fellowship.  This shows the special relationship we have with each other where as a community we look after each other, where we are welcomed and accepted, no matter who we are. Together we can grow in our relationship with one another and with God. We come together with Christ at the centre of our school.

1 Thessalonians 5 v 11 “Therefore encourage one another build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Respect

Respect can mean simply treating each other with politeness and courtesy, and recognising that everyone’s contribution is important and that everyone’s feelings should be considered. At Norton CEVC, we regularly discuss how respecting someone does not mean that we always agree with the other person but that we are prepared to listen and share our views without rudeness or impatience.

Christians recognise that respect needs to start with respect for ourselves and our own unique contribution to our homes, schools or communities. Having self-respect means being able to celebrate our gifts and talents, looking after ourselves and the bodies that God has given us. Having self-respect also means nurturing our talents so that we the best we can be, honouring how God has made us and being confident about who we are.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you Matthew 7:12