The purpose of the Ethos Group – GIFT – Growing In Faith Together – is to further develop the pupil voice and the children’s involvement in school decision-making.
Why have an Ethos group?
The Ethos Group, GIFT, supports our school in developing our Christian distinctiveness and work to promote the school core Christian values.
The group reports to the Head Teacher and the Governing Body about what it has discussed, planned and done. The Ethos Group work with other adults, children, parents, clergy and church members to develop positive working relationships. The work of the Ethos Group would be recorded in our School Development Plan and they would have an active role in developing part of the plan.
What does the Ethos Group do?
Meets fortnightly to discuss aspects of our commitment to our Christian ethos and values with the meetings minuted.
- Ask the children about their opinions about Collective Worship, the School Values and RE.
- Reviews the Reflective Areas around school
- Help children to reflect on the Spirituality and BIG questions
- Work with Mrs Hunter and other adults, as well as the Lighthouse Crew, to plan and take an active part in worship.
- Take part in and lead prayer sessions in school with Rev Alison
- Liaise with Reverends Jason and Pete to support the new school Faith Group.
- Work with Mrs Hunter and Rev Pete to support church worship and church and school partnership.
- Be involved in supporting the development of reflective areas in classrooms, reflective areas around school and outside reflective spaces.
- Seek information about national and local charities and be involved in suggesting how the school can support others within our community and the world. (School charity work)
- Look at global issues and how we at St. John’s can take an active part in world issues. For example reducing plastic in our environment.
- Develop an ‘Action Plan’ on how pupils and other stakeholders can help to make a difference in our school, community and society.
- Establish events (such as an RE week, art week, friendship week or grandparent day etc.) to put our values into action.
- Work hard to develop spirituality within our school.
- Seek to find out more about Saint John the Evangelist (our school and church namesake), his feast day (27th December) and symbol (eagle) to share findings and information with staff and pupils so that we can learn more about our heritage.
How the children were chosen?
The children interested in become a member of the GIFT Ethos Group expressed an interest by writing a letter to Mrs Hunter, Mrs Abbott and Mrs Fenwick (Governors). They outlined why they wanted to be involved in the Ethos Group ‘GIFT” and what they could bring to the group.
Group members were chosen from Years 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Our GIFT group-
Jorja
Lucinda
Amelia
Patrick
Harrison
Noah
Molly