Spirituality Statement
The ideal towards which we strive
Since our foundation in 1849 Bishops has produced many outstanding leaders in all fields, who have enriched this world in significant ways. Our vision is that our students leave this school steeped in the values we cherish, equipped to serve our fellow human beings to the glory of God.
We would describe the product of Bishops as a person who:
- Knows, worships and loves God, who is the foundation of our live.
- Lives a life of humble service.
- Understands and acknowledges that we share a common humanity with all people and that every human being is unique and infinitely precious.
- Respects every person, whatever their social status, race, religion, gender, sexuality or anything else that distinguishes them, and treats them with genuine and compassionate concern.
- Is committed to joining with all who struggle for human rights, freedom and dignity, justice and peace, whatever the cost.
- Cherishes God’s creation, seeing it as an integrated and indivisible whole; and in a dangerously polluted world honours God by joining with all who seek sustainable policies for the environment.
- Is a responsible citizen, a person of integrity, principled and incorruptible.
A community of various faiths
Bishops is pleased and proud to welcome people of various faiths into our community and to respect these faiths. We are committed to nurturing the spiritual life of all members of our community, and encouraging those who are not Christian to discover within their own faith the path to becoming the people we strive to be. We are mutually enriched as we grow to understand one another’s beliefs, recognising and valuing what we have in common.
The Christian way
As an Anglican Church school we follow the Christian way, aiming to live and learn the values of Jesus Christ, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22).
Using the Baptismal Creed as a framework, we summarise our response to God’s love:
- I believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world
- God calls each of us into a personal relationship – a Father with his children. In Chapel and in everyday life we relate to God in worship and prayer.
- God the Creator of the world calls us to treat his creation with reverence and to be good stewards of this world and its precious resources.
- I believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed humankind
- Jesus died for us on the Cross and rose from death. He forgives our sins, and invites us to commit our lives to him as Saviour and Lord.
- Because God created us and entered our human nature in his Son Jesus, every human being is unique and infinitely precious to him.
- We meet and come to know Jesus as we read the Gospels, study and listen to God’s Word.
- I believe and trust in his Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God.
- God breathes his Spirit of power into us through his Word, the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist, and prayer. We count it a joy and privilege to prepare members of our community for Baptism and Confirmation.
- I believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- Our Christian hope is to await Christ’s coming and glory, and the completion of God’s purpose for each of us and for his world
None of us will ever fully live up to the high ideals we aspire to, but by God’s grace we may grow towards maturity in Christ. When we fail, God forgives us, restores us and enables us to continue on our journey.
At Bishops we seek to be a model of freedom, justice and love in our administration, teaching and relationships between staff, students, parents, Old Diocesans, friends and members of the wider community. May we enable one another to find fulfilment and joy as we seek to live up to our calling, humbly and courageously.