FAITH IN THE COMMUNITY: The school underpinned by love, courage and fellowship
by the Rev Jenn Camirand, curate, St Alban's Church, West Leigh, Havant
WHAT is it like to minister in and to a school whose vision is “Inspired to make a difference in God’s world with excellence and love”?
At St Alban’s C of E Aided Primary School, it is to be part of a community where education is understood as formation, not just instruction.
It is a place where children are encouraged to do their best, not because they are compared with others, but because they are believed in. And where love is not an abstract idea, but something experienced daily — in the way adults interact with children, speak to them with respect, respond consistently, and hold them steady when things are challenging.
This vision is underpinned by three values: love, courage, and fellowship. Love shapes the way children are treated and taken seriously. It ensures that every child is treated with dignity, relationships are prioritised, and discipline is fair. Courage enables children to aim high, to persevere, and to take risks in their learning — knowing that mistakes are part of growth.
Fellowship speaks to belonging and shared life. It is about being known and knowing others, learning and growing together. Fellowship is underpinned by inclusivity — making room for difference, recognising what each child brings, and ensuring no one is overlooked. Difference is not a problem to be managed, but a strength to be honoured — academic, social, cultural, or personal.
In today’s world, where many children carry pressure beyond their years, this way of being in school matters. To be educated with love, courage and fellowship, is to be told again and again: you belong here; you are capable; you are valued. These values equip children not only to learn, but to live well — developing confidence, empathy, resilience, and respect.
This culture does not happen by accident. It is shaped by the gifts of staff and leadership who work with courage, care, and consistency. Teaching in this way is demanding but also sustaining. When adults are supported and trusted, their work becomes purposeful rather than exhausting.
As a priest, my ministry in school flows from this shared life. It happens through listening, leading worship, reading with children, meeting families at the school gate, and being present in ordinary and significant moments. It is about reflecting back to the community the same values the school lives by — love that grounds, courage that encourages, and fellowship that makes room for more.
ST ALBAN’S CHURCH, Bartons Road, West Leigh, Havant, PO9 5TE