“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.”
Colossians 3:23
Mission:
Our Schools’ Mission is to grow young people who are able confidently and positively to take their place in the world, using their individual talents and strengths to make a difference to their own and other peoples’ lives.
Vision:
As in The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30) we see it as our role to inspire children to work hard, making the most of their gifts in the service of God and to take well-considered risks for the good of all.
Narrative:
At All Angels’ we believe that developing an outward facing, aspirational culture will encourage children to aim higher and challenge themselves to be the best they can be. We want to encourage children to demonstrate how they can use their personal gifts to contribute to our community, be enterprising, develop positive relationships, support others, challenge injustice and achieve a sense of self-worth and identity.
We believe that it is through hard work and determination that success is achieved, through seizing opportunities that come your way and by developing a growth mindset or sense of resilience, that children can truly start to achieve their potential and create choices in their lives. So, as taught to us through the Parable of the Talents, it is right to take risks, identify opportunity and step out of the comfort zone to see what is possible.
Our schools will grow resilient young people who are able to confidently and positively take their place in the world, using their individual talents and strengths to make a difference to their own and other peoples’ lives.
Associated values:
Success
“Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and never succeed.”
Proverbs 12:24
Perseverance
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong, and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Respect
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”
Matthew 7:12
Hope
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Trust
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”
Proverbs 10:9
Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30
The master was going on a journey, so he called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
The master was extremely angry with this servant who had wasted his opportunity to prove himself to his master. He sent him away.
What does this mean for us?
God gives talents, competencies or special gifts to every person. These vary from person to person. However, we are responsible for making the most of them. We can demonstrate our talents in the widest sense through committing to producing our best, achieving our full potential and working our hardest to learn more, whatever the situation. We can also support and encourage others to do the same, challenging when others give up or try to take the easiest option.
In our lives there will be difficult times but we know that we all have special qualities. Most of the time, however, we tend to look for excuses when things get hard. We forget that we have been given skills to help us throughout our lives! Through demonstrating resilience and perseverance, we can achieve success and hope for a better future.
We are likely to encounter injustice in the world, but by appreciating and respecting that everyone possesses special talents and skills despite their background, gender or race, which should be allowed to shine through, we can challenge this injustice.
In order for people to truly flourish, there needs to be a deep culture of love, respect and earned trust. Everybody achieves more academically in an atmosphere of care and warmth. It is vital that our schools cultivate these qualities and practically demonstrate these in daily situations.
Like in the parable we need to use our talents, skills or gifts wisely.
