Our Vision

Nether Stowey Church of England Primary School

inspires a love of learning in all of us with

Christian values at our heart.

Our school community is a safe, caring friendly place where

everyone is welcome.

We give all children and staff the opportunity and encouragement to

aim high and develop their strengths and interests.

We strive to understand, respect and value each other, our school, our community and the world we live in.

We are caring. We are active. We are, our best. 

We are Caring  

We go above and beyond to make sure children and staff feel safe and cared for. It is our aim to create a safe and caring environment for all our families. We care about children’s interests, their education as well as safeguarding and wellbeing. ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself. Matthew 22:3

We are Active 

Being active is not just sports participation but encouraging our children to be active citizens in modern day Britain. Be courageous, to be active with the environment and active in living well. In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

We are, our best 

We ask children try their best, they have a go, we acknowledge all children’s best, no matter how different these may be from child to child. To achieve and be successful to the best they can be. Whatever work you do, do your best. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Nether Stowey Church of England Primary School values are:

Thankfulness

We thank God every day for all the positive things in life, from a beautiful sunrise to the important people in our lives. At Harvest time we are grateful for the food we eat and help to share this via our collection which we donate to elderly residents and to the food bank. In every hardship we face we remember to be thankful for lessons learned and those who help us.

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Mark 14:22-23

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his

disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.

Luke 17:15-16

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan.

Fellowship

Fellowship is a vital part of any community. At times we can be independent, but safe in the knowledge that we belong to our school and church family, whether child or adult. Just as Jesus did with God, Christians emulate this with one another, offering friendship, support, company and fun!

Acts 4:32-35

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his

possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

1 Corinthians 12:24-26

But God has combined the members of the body ….so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

Endurance

Endurance is a part of life, but is not all bad! Endurance is patience and tolerance too. Endurance can mean suffering, but equally love endures too, as do friendship and family relationships. In our work we learn to persevere and we can learn and grow from our mistakes. We learn from Jesus about enduring suffering but that his love for God was complete and unwavering. He asked for the support of his disciples with whom he prayed and this strengthened his ability to endure.

Psalm 100:5

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Romans 5:2-4

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance,

character; and character, hope.

Hebrews 12:2-3

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Peace

Peace is about more than just the absence of war. It means harmony, stability and security within a community. It refers to relationships based on truth and righteousness, where people flourish because they are nurtured. It seems now more than ever that humankind has to learn and re-learn the message of peace. It does not come easily or automatically. We constantly run the risk of falling back into hostility and suspicion. 

Christians are called to share in Christ’s work of restoring wholeness. The Christian vision in this respect is far-reaching and challenging: harmony between people, harmony between people and God, and harmony between humans and the whole created order.

Psalm 34:14

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Isaiah 32:17-18

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

Trust

Trust is essential to human life and lies at the heart of all relationships. Trust entails

vulnerability, putting yourself in others’ hands. We have to trust experts - pilots,

teachers, surgeons. Yet, within our society, there often seems to be mutual distrust

between people and those responsible for governing them. Trust is central to civilised society, to living together in harmony, so it is to be valued and honoured.  We can begin to rebuild trust in our mistrustful society by being reliable ourselves, by not letting people down. Similarly, when we work with others, if we are willing to let go of control ourselves and trust in the abilities and integrity of others, everyone can be enriched.

Psalm 23:1-4

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green

pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters……Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Charity

Charity and service means the recognition that you can do good for others without the need for praise or recognition, but simply because it is the right thing to do. It means noticing when help is needed and, just as the Good Samaritan did, not turning a blind eye, but taking the time to make things better even when this tasks seems like a huge one! Serving humanity means help without prejudice whether locally or across the world. Our pupils are incredibly charitable and families have donated to many local and worldwide charities, from linking up with Yezidhi refugees in Iraq to donating food to local elderly residents and performing carols for them at the church centre - every opportunity to help is rightfully taken.

Isaiah 42:1

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.

Luke 10:33-34

But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.

John 13:14-15

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one

another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Galatians 5:13-14

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbour as yourself".

The church-school family

Every fortnight we have Open The Book. Dedicated, inspiring volunteers from the Church community lead fortnightly collective worships here at school to look at stories and events from the Bible and calendar. These collective worships are lively and engaging. The children enjoy taking part too. Reverend Eleanor King and team continue to lead church services. Now we have 'First Friday' services every month at the church and we have formed an Ethos Group to raise and monitor the Christian distinctiveness of the school.