Our New Christian Vision: "Let Your Light Shine" – Matthew 5:16
At Westbury CofE Junior School, our Christian vision is at the heart of everything we do. Following a period of reflection and collaboration involving our Prayer Council, Rev Rebecca, staff, pupils, governors and the Senior Leadership Team, we are delighted to introduce our new school vision:
"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16
This new vision builds on our previous school verse: "I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance."2 Timothy 4. This verse has served our community well by encouraging perseverance, resilience and determination. As our school community has grown and evolved, we recognised the opportunity to adopt a vision that reflects our shared journey and our commitment to ensuring that every member of our community can flourish.
Our new vision reflects our belief that every child has unique gifts, talents and qualities that deserve to be recognised, nurtured and celebrated.
Importantly, letting our light shine is not just about our own achievements. It is about helping others to shine alongside us, celebrating success together and supporting one another when things feel difficult.
We want our pupils to understand that:
- Everyone has a light within them.
- We all shine in different ways.
- We are stronger when we help others shine.
- We notice when someone needs support and respond with care.
- Success is shared and celebrated together.
Our vision is brought to life through our core values:
- Respect – inspired by The Good Samaritan, teaching us to value and include everyone.
- Care – inspired by The Lost Sheep, reminding us to notice when someone needs support.
- Inspire – inspired by The Parable of the Talents, encouraging us to use our gifts and help others discover theirs.
Throughout the school day, we will use the language of shining brightly to celebrate pupils who demonstrate our values through kindness, perseverance, courage, friendship and service to others.
Whether through house points, Stars of the Week, values awards or celebrating personal achievements, we want every child to know that their light matters.
Working Together: A Shared Journey from Infants to Juniors
Our new Christian vision also strengthens our partnership with Westbury Infant School and supports a seamless transition for pupils as they move through their primary education journey. This year, the Infant School launched their new vision and values:
"Belong, Thrive, Achieve, Play – where infants shine every day."
Pupils at the Infant School are encouraged to recognise when they and others are shining brightly through their values and collect stars to celebrate these achievements.
As children transition to the Junior School, our vision of "Let your light shine" builds naturally on these foundations. Together, our schools share a common language of belonging, flourishing and recognising the unique gifts of every child.
This shared approach helps pupils understand that shining brightly is a lifelong journey. As they grow, pupils move from learning how to recognise their own strengths to understanding how they can use those strengths to support, encourage and inspire others.
Through close collaboration between both schools, including transition activities, shared values, pupil voice opportunities and consistent language, we help children feel confident, secure and excited about the next stage of their journey.
Together, we are committed to ensuring that every child feels known, valued and supported from their first days at the Infant School through to the end of their time at the Junior School.
Our shared vision is that every child will:
- Feel that they belong within our school communities.
- Develop the confidence to thrive and achieve.
- Recognise and celebrate their unique gifts and talents.
- Support others to shine alongside them.
- Leave our schools equipped to make a positive difference in the world.
By working collaboratively, we create a coherent and nurturing journey where every child has the opportunity to flourish and let their light shine.
Together, we will continue to build a school community where every child feels valued, supported and inspired to flourish.
Because when we help others shine, our whole community shines brighter.
✨ From belonging and thriving at the Infant School to letting their light shine at the Junior School, we are proud to walk alongside our pupils and families every step of the way.
A welcome from our local Team Rector and Foundation Governor, Revd Rebecca:
Hello. My name is Revd Rebecca Harris and I’m the new Team Rector of the White Horse Team Ministry based in Westbury and surrounding villages. It’s great to be here. I’ve been in post since February 2020 and I’ve just become Foundation Governor at Westbury CE Juniors. I’m looking forward to getting to know the school community better, as soon as it is possible. I shall be coming into the school to lead Collective Worship, to visit you all and be part of the developing the Christian distinctiveness of the school.
I would also like to be able to welcome you to our beautiful and ancient church at All Saints’ in the centre of Westbury, which is one of the oldest buildings in the town. We would love to be able to host some of your school worship, and also welcome individual classes for visits to find out more about the building, and what we do in the church. I also hope to be able to visit you in the classroom and share in some of your learning in RE and related subjects. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
With every blessing,
Revd Rebecca
Respect, Care and Inspire. It is at the heart of the school uniform.
Here are links to All Saints’ Church in Westbury:
All Saints’ Church Westbury, Facebook Page >