Mission, Vision and Values

Guided by God, we live, learn and love

Saint Nicholas himself was a man of great faith who spent his life showing practical love to the most needy in his community. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his life to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need and his love for children.

First built in 1873, Norton St Nicholas School has been serving its local community for over 150 years. In 1873, Norton was a small farming community and the early visionaries for a school in the community – much like Saint Nicholas himself – had a passion for the poor of the parish, who did not previously have an opportunity to receive a school education, to attend school and to learn about God and his love for all.

Nearly 2000 years after the life of Saint Nicholas and over 150 years on from the foundation of Norton St Nicholas School, we recognise that we are here to serve our current local community. We seek to do this – with a continued heart for those most in need – through an excellent education and the opportunity to learn about and experience God’s love for all.

Our vision

Guided by God’s love, we educate and nurture each unique child, inspiring them to reach their full potential, and enabling them to flourish as caring and successful citizens who make a difference in their communities.

Our Mission

• Be a caring community who work hard to provide equity of opportunity for all children, families and staff, with a genuine love and care for the most vulnerable and needy in our community.
• Provide a happy, welcoming and safe environment that inspires creativity, curiosity and enjoyment, and where achievements are celebrated enthusiastically.
• Have a rich and varied curriculum, tailored to our context, which supports and challenges all children to achieve their full potential.
• Provide a stimulating and attractive environment in which our children will be encouraged to develop positive attitudes to learning, independence and a sense of personal worth.
• Work in partnership to facilitate flourishing links between school, home and church, enabling our community to know God and make Him known.
• Inspire and educate our community to make a difference and to seek justice in the local and global community through our voice and actions, now and throughout their lives.
• Inspire and educate our community to care for the world God has given us.
• Be a caring Christian community that teaches and nurtures Christian values, welcoming children and families of all faith backgrounds.
• Ensure staff have opportunities to continually develop their own knowledge, skills and practice, for the benefit of our school and the education system as a whole.

Our Values

Our Underpinning Theology

Our vision, mission and value are underpinned by God's word and God's heart for for our world:

• God has a heart for the most needy and vulnerable in society, which is seen so clearly through the life of Jesus.
• We should care for God’s creation, world and people: The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)
• We should care for our community and serve each other: Serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)
• We want all to achieve their full potential: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13)
• We should have love and care for each other: Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11)
• The education of children is at the heart of God's mission: Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
• All are unique and loved by God: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-30) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works and wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)
• God wants all to know Jesus: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
• And we should make Jesus known to all: “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
• We should serve our community and develop our skills: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others. (1 Peter 4:10a)