ST ALOYSIUS' COLLEGE
SCHOOL HANDBOOK

The JESUIT ETHOS of the College

The Aim of Jesuit Education

The aim of Jesuit education is expressed by St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) in the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus: “. . . improvement in living and learning to the greater glory of God and the common good.” [cf Constitutions part IV, St Ignatius Loyola, Rome 1550]

As a child progresses through the school s/he will become part of this tradition, experiencing at first hand its pattern of teaching, values and practices, informed by the Jesuit vision. It is our hope that each child will accept this rich heritage and make it his or her own and in so doing will be prepared for life, which is itself a preparation for eternal life.

Jesuit Vision Statement

A “vision” does not describe a goal or an aim but a way of getting there. St Ignatius used the phrase “our way of proceeding” as a sort of shorthand for the characteristic ways and means of the Jesuit tradition. In applying this to a school, the Jesuit vision statement recognises the characteristic values and practices promoted in a Jesuit school:

Finding God in all things
• a Jesuit school recognises that every aspect of its work can affirm the goodness and presence of God

Caring for the individual
• a Jesuit school focuses on the all-round formation of each person

Showing love in deeds
• a Jesuit school is characterised by generosity in service to others, particularly where human dignity is threatened

Building a Christian community
• a Jesuit school fosters a faith commitment to Christ and prepares pupils for a fuller participation in the life of Church

Engaging with the wider world
• a Jesuit school helps pupils to be sensitive to the strengths and weaknesses in contemporary society and to witness to Christ’s presence in that society

Encouraging excellence
• a Jesuit school is distinguished for its academic, religious and pastoral provision, through which it encourages the fullest possible development of talents

Co-operating in Jesuit mission
• a Jesuit school works in co-operation with other Jesuit schools and ministries in the light of the apostolic and educational aims of the Society of Jesus

This vision statement is shared by all the Jesuit schools of the British Province.

To live in this way is to build the Kingdom of God. It is to engage fully with the world around us. The life and learning that is characteristic of St Aloysius' College seeks to bring concretely to the Church in Scotland a venerable and living tradition of the universal Church. It is the Jesuit ideal adapted to the circumstances of the people, place and times in which we live.

A fuller statement of the vision, aims and methods of Jesuit education is published as a booklet entitled The Characteristics of Jesuit Education (1987). This booklet is available from the Head Master's Secretary @ £5.