Christian vision
A Church of England School
“I came to give life – life in all its fullness” (John 10:10b)
Saint Gabriel’s College is a Church of England school, serving our local community. Our inclusive Christian ethos is rooted in our faith that we are all made in God’s image, and put into practice through our school Christian values, which help us learn and live well together, becoming the people God calls us to be.
We are a joyful and diverse school. We strive to be a community that is hospitable to students and staff of all languages, ethnicities and nationalities, those with special educational needs and disabilities, those who are LGBT, those of all family structures, of all socio-economic backgrounds, of all body types, of all faiths and none.
We are a member of the family of Church of England schools in the Diocese of Southwark. Together we share a distinctive Anglican identity with over 100 primary and secondary schools in south London. We are proud to be part of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, through which we are members of a worldwide church.
Our Mission Statement
“We will all fulfil our unique, God-given potential”
We believe that all our students are made in the image of God and as such are of intrinsic value. Our mission is to help everyone in our school flourish and fulfil their unique, God-given potential. We seek to educate the whole child, pursuing academic excellence through the principles of wisdom, hope, community and dignity.
Our School Values
Service to Others: following the example of the Son
“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
(John 13:14)
The night before he died, Jesus took a bowl of water and a towel and washed his disciples’ feet. He told the disciples he was setting an example for them to follow – an example of love and service.
Service to Others is shown through practical actions and considerate behaviour. We work for justice – for ourselves, for others and the environment. We work to build reconciliation and peace in our communities and in our world. We promote service in school through student leadership and volunteering, and in our community through partnerships with local organisations including our church, other schools and South London Citizens.
Generosity of Spirit: reflecting the generous love of the Father
“While he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20b)
Jesus taught about the generous love which God the Father has for us. He told the story of a son who asked his father for half of everything he owned. The son left home, spent all the money and then came back when he had nothing. The father showed generosity of spirit – instead of being angry, he had compassion on his son, forgave him and welcomed him home.
Generosity of Spirit is shown through our attitude towards others. Generosity is about sharing what we have, and about giving value to other people. We remember the importance of all human relationships, try to act out of love instead of fear, and show compassion and kindness towards other people. We try to show forgiveness when someone has hurt us, not holding grudges but being willing to let go and move on. We respect ourselves and other people, especially those whose opinions, faith or culture are different from our own. We show thankfulness for all the goodness in our lives, and for the opportunities we have been given.
Commitment to Excellence: nurturing the gifts of the Holy Spirit
Commitment to Excellence: nurturing the gifts of the Holy Spirit
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works.” (Matthew 5:16)
The Bible reminds us that we are called into being by God and made in his image. God fills us with the Holy Spirit to equip us with the gifts we need to fulfil his calling for us. We are called to nurture our gifts and talents by aspiring to the highest standards in our work, offering everything we do as a gift to God.
Commitment to Excellence is shown through our attitude to learning and how we conduct ourselves. We show perseverance when we find things difficult and live in hope for a better future. We practice self-control in our words and our actions, and act with honesty. We practice good stewardship by using our time, talents and money wisely. We expect everyone to work hard to the best of their ability, to be on time with the equipment they need, and to look smart and professional. We set high aspirations to help everyone fulfil their unique, God-given potential, and we celebrate each other’s achievements.