Our Christian Ethos

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)

Our vision is to empower every child to approach life with optimism, creativity and compassion. We believe that through God’s love, we are on track for success. ‘The Lord God will be with you wherever you go’ Joshua 1:9.

This is our Christian foundation which enables us to encourage and inspire one another. Our mission, as a Church of England School, is to provide an education that gives all pupils the opportunity to develop within a happy, caring and safe environment grounded upon the values of the Christian faith.

For more detail, our school vision and values are explored elsewhere on the website:  https://chappel.essex.sch.uk/core-values/

Information on The Church of England’s vision for education and the work of Church of England Schools, can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/vision-education

Our school vision underpins the Christian distinctiveness of Chappel and is intertwined in all we do – through our Collective Worship, celebrating learning and personal achievements, embracing world faiths and views and welcoming visitors into our happy school.

We warmly welcome pupils from all faith backgrounds and none, and firmly believe that every child is unique and amazing.

Motto: On Track for Success

Worship
 

What is collective worship?

Collective Worship is a creative, reflective and spiritual experience.

1. A candle is sometimes lit as a focus and reminder that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” John 8v12
2. A child leads the worship with a phrase such as, “The Lord is here – His Spirit is with us.”
3. Children enjoy a wide range of worship songs often linked to our Christian values.
4. A Bible story may be told, chosen to be related to the Christian value as well as the relational needs of the children.
5. There is opportunity for children to read a few well known verses from the Bible or a Psalm such as Psalm 23 or Psalm 100.
6. Often there is a challenge to practical action – encouraging children to decide / choose to put God’s love into practice. For example children may be encouraged to support the Colchester Food Bank charity or Operation Christmas Child shoe box appeal.
7. Children have an opportunity to respond in prayer. We use the school prayer or the Lord’s Prayer and also encourage spontaneous prayers which may be led by the children.
8. In a busy school day we make “Time for reflection.” Maybe a quiet time or using music as children take time to consider what they have heard.
9. Finally we often share the peace – Enabling pupils to demonstrate their love and care for one another. “May the peace of the Lord be with you – and also with you. 

For more information about Collective Worship in our school, please see the LIFE Education Trust ‘Collective Worship policy’ here.

Worship Planning

Each term we explore one of our core values: Courageous Optimism, Heartfelt Compassion or Boundless Creativity. Additional gospel values are interwoven which we deliver as branches from our key values. They include:  Forgiveness, Respect, Trust, Service, Courage, Justice, Perseverance, Truthfulness, Generosity, Friendship, Compassion and Thankfulness.

Please view our Collective Worship Planning Overview here