Our Virtues
“Virtues to Live By” enables us all to explore each virtue over a three week period (two per half term) to improve the school community’s virtue literacy and to deepen understanding and appreciation of the essential role that virtues play in the education of the whole person towards human flourishing. The virtues chosen are common across cultures and faiths, but are sourced from the Christian tradition. They are linked directly to work in the Diocese of Leeds on virtues and character education (see companion documents here dioceseofleeds.org.uk/education/re-catholic-life/character-education).
“Virtues to Live By” is a resource created by the Diocese of Leeds with the creative and financial support of the Leeds Diocesan Association of Primary Headteachers.
The school focuses on one virtue every three weeks. The children think about what the virtue means, how we can see it in others and how we can manifest it in ourselves. Each week, we look at a particular aspect of the virtue and an award is given to a member of each class in Friday's Award Assembly to a child who has 'lived' the virtue across the week. Acts of worship and Virtue lessons in class also link to the virtue and we have 'Signs of living the virtue' - things to 'notice' or look for that demonstrate the virtue.
"Virtues to Live By" is a rolling two year programme which alternates between Set 1 and Set 2.
Our virtues have been chosen to reflect the time of year for our children. So for example, we have 'respect and courtesy' at the beginning of the year when we are setting out our expectations, charity and forgiveness during the season of Lent, and resilience and perseverance during SATs preparation!
For the Set 1 Virtues, click on each to find out a little more about them! The signs of living the virtue will explain what kind of things we are all trying to see in each other.
There are some small short Acts of Worship that you might like to use at home to reflect on the meaning of the virtues. There are some suggestions of short Bible readings, hymns and songs and some things you might want to use as a focus.
Set 1 Virtues to Live By
AUTUMN
Respect/Courtesy signs of living the virtue
Thankfulness signs of living the virtue
Hope signs of living the virtue
Patience signs of living the virtue
SPRING
Faith signs of living the virtue
Simplicity signs of living the virtue
Charity signs of living the virtue
Forgiveness signs of living the virtue
SUMMER
Resilience/Perseverance signs of living the virtue Small Act of Worship
Kindness signs of living the virtue Small Acts of Worship
Honesty signs of living the virtue Small Acts of Worship
Service signs of living the virtue Small Acts of Worship
Set 2 Virtues to Live By
AUTUMN
Love of Learning
Citizenship
Prayer
Generosity
SPRING
Friendship
Love of Neighbour
Compassion
Self-control
SUMMER
Confidence and Determination
Trust
Courage
Discernment and Wisdom
Class Virtues and Saints
At St Clare's, each class also has its own associated virtue, with each one chosen to have relevance for the children at each particular age group. For example. Reception class have Friednship as their virtue, as this is very prevalent for our youngest children when they are meeting other children for the first time. Year 6's class virtue is Service, chosen because we have high expectations that our oldest children are excellent ambassadors for our school and seek to lead and show service in their conduct in and around school.
Full details of our Class Virtues can be found below:
Year Group Virtues
|
Reception |
Friendship |
|
Year 1 |
Sharing |
|
Year 2 |
Kindness |
|
Year 3 |
Love |
|
Year 4 |
Patience |
|
Year 5 |
Trust/Honesty |
|
Year 6 |
Service/Leadership |
Each class also has a Class Saint, someone who the children can relate towards and from whom they can learn important messages for how to live their lives.
|
Reception |
St Peter |
|
Year 1 |
St Patrick |
|
Year 2 |
Our Lady, Mary |
|
Year 3 |
St George |
|
Year 4 |
St Joseph |
|
Year 5 |
St Bernadette |
|
Year 6 |
St Francis of Assisi |