GROUP EXPECTATIONS

 

For the harmony of the group, we ask families to adhere to certain expectations:

 

•  As the teaching and philosophy of our group is underpinned by our beliefs, it is important that families are in agreement with the statement of belief.

 

• Acknowledging that the spiritual growth of our children is more important than the intellectual, families should be committed to a local church and under the spiritual care, teaching and authority of faithful Bible teachers. The group does not seek to replace the church family in providing community or pastoral care, and serving the group should never impact a family’s ability to serve their local church.

 

• Recognising that families have different capacities at different seasons, families should be able to reasonably commit to the group in the areas of attendance and serving: 

• We ask that families commit to missing no more than 4 sessions a year, allowing for sickness, holidays and emergencies. It is important that families arrive punctually and attend the entire session, for the benefit of their own and the other families.

• As a small, parent-led group, we need “all hands on deck” in order to be a blessing to every family. It is expected that each parent attending will have some responsibilities for the smooth running of the group, and will take ownership of their area so that the burden does not fall unevenly on others.

 

• We also ask each family to contribute financially towards the use of the building. Occasionally there may be additional costs to cover materials needed in a class. However, we would not want money to be a barrier to families attending and we encourage those for whom this is a struggle to speak with the Treasurer.

 

• Families should understand the need for good behaviour and that it is primarily the parents’ responsibility to enforce this. Parents and children must be able to show respect to the other members of the group and be willing to adhere to our screen policy.
 

At Oaks and Arrows, we want to “walk in all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-2)

We know we won’t do this perfectly, but as parents we seek to model sacrificial love and to encourage our children to act respectfully:

 

• By listening to each other carefully

• By looking at others when they are speaking

• By raising our hand when we want to speak in class

• By speaking kind words and beautiful ideas

• By loving God, and then one another, before ourselves.

 

In order to acknowledge agreement with these expectations, we ask members to sign a Parental Agreement or a Student Agreement.

 

Screen Use

 

We ask that children do not have mobile phones or other devices on their persons during the session. This is for safeguarding reasons and also to help our children be present and build meaningful relationships with one another. As parents we seek to model this, although we understand that sometimes phones will be needed to take essential calls, to play music or media in class, or to keep track of time.

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SAFEGUARDING

 

• As a parent-led group, we do not require our teachers to be DBS checked and instead ask that parents remain responsible for their own children throughout the entire session.

 

• When children are outside of the main hall for certain classes we ensure that there are always two adults present in order to be above reproach.

 

• If children need their parents with them at all times then we will do our best to accommodate this in the schedule. 

 

• In order to love and serve one another well, we ask that each family complete a Family Form so that we have a record of any health and dietary needs.

 

• We do not share photos from the sessions on the internet, but we do take a whole group photo at the start of each term which we share with each family.

 

IF ISSUES ARISE

 

Discipline

 

In a order to have a peaceful and joyful atmosphere, we may sometimes need to address disruptive behaviour. In the first instance, this would be addressed by the class teachers.

However, if the student continues to disrupt the class then the teacher may ask that the parent sit alongside their child in class. On occasion, if the issue is still not resolved then the student may be asked not to attend the class anymore.

 

Disagreement

 

In the unlikely event that issues arise between members of the group, we seek to follow Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 18. The members involved in the disagreement should first try to reconcile privately in humility, patience and love. If this is not possible, we ask that the issue is brought to the attention of a committee member discreetly so that the committee can resolve the issue without disruption to the whole group.

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THE COMMITTEE

 

Oaks and Arrows is a parent-involved co-operative which seeks to benefit each family through mutual support and service. However, as the group has grown it has become necessary to identify a more formal committee who are responsible for communication, organisation and administration. 

 

The committee is made up of the founding members:

Amy Fischer

Bethany Steventon

Joanna Townsend (Treasurer)

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