Our Heraldry

1. The Circle — God’s Eternity and Covenant

Our crest is enclosed in a circle, a shape with no beginning and no end.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is and who was and who is to come.” (Revelation 1:8)

Biblically, the circle speaks of:

• God’s eternal nature

• His covenant and faithfulness

• Protection and belonging (as a seal)

Our academy is visually placed within God’s enduring covenant, not outside of it.

2. The Shield — Faith as Defense

At the center is a shield, a dominant biblical image:

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16)

This communicates that:

• Education here is defensive and formative, not neutral

• Faith is meant to guard the heart and mind (Philippians 4:7)

• We as believers take up the armor of God and defend the faith (1 Peter 3:15)

• Our students are trained not only to learn, but to stand for the Lord’s truth

3. The Cross Form — Christ at the Center

The internal structure of the shield is subtly shaped as a cross, dividing the crest into four fields.

“We preach Christ crucified.” (1 Corinthians 1:23)

This indicates:

• Christ is the organizing principle of all knowledge

• Every discipline (history, science, art, language) finds coherence in Him

• The cross holds all things together (Colossians 1:17)

4. The Star — Divine Revelation and Guidance

The star in the upper-left quadrant recalls the Star of Bethlehem:

“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)

Biblically, stars symbolize:

• God’s guidance through darkness

• Revelation from heaven, not human invention

• God calling His people forward in faith

Education at our school is presented as illumination, not indoctrination.

5. The Sycamore Leaf — Transformation and Calling

The sycamore leaf points directly to Zacchaeus:

“He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus.” (Luke 19:4)

This symbolizes:

• A desire to see Christ clearly

• Humility and seeking

• Life-changing encounters

Zacchaeus descended transformed; the leaf represents education that leads to repentance, growth, and renewed purpose.  In classical Christian symbolism, the sycamore represents ascent toward truth followed by descent into obedience

6. The Twelve Stars — God’s People and Order

The cluster of stars recalls biblical completeness:

• Twelve tribes of Israel

• Twelve apostles

• The people of God ordered under divine authority

• Image bearers of Christ

“He appointed twelve, that they might be with him.” (Mark 3:14)

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them”. Genesis 1:27

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” 2 Corinthians 3:18

This speaks to:

• Discipleship

• Community

• Edification 

• Formation under God’s design, not chaos

7. The Rooted Base and Living Water and Bridge/Path— Wisdom Built on Foundation, growth through Christ

The curved lines at the base of the shield resemble roots or a foundation as well as living water flowing to, through, and from the tree:

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water.” (Psalm 1:3)

 "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’" (John 7:37-38)

This signifies:

• Wisdom rooted in Scripture

• Stability over time

• Growth that bears fruit

• Living water in/through christ

Learning is not shallow—it is rooted and growth occurs through living waters bearing fruit for all

The grounded lower portion of the shield also suggests a path or foundation or bridge over waters, echoing:

Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  

Education is ordered toward living rightly. Knowledge that does not shape character is incomplete.  This imagery affirms that all fields of study—science, history, art, and labor—belong to God and are places where His truth may be faithfully cultivated.

8.  The Laurel Branches — Victory Through Faithfulness

The surrounding branches echo the biblical crown imagery:

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

Not victory by conquest, but by:

• Perseverance

• Faithfulness

• Obedience

9.  Blank Space - Student Potential

In the lower left quadrant there is a blank space present.  This represents the potential that exists in each of our students.  What will be their contribution to our crest, our school, our community, and our wider world upon their graduation?  This is our students chance to make their lasting mark on our school.  

10.  The Motto — FAITH, VIRTUE, GRATITUDE

FIDES · VIRTUS · GRATUS
(Faith · Virtue · Gratitude)

Biblically ordered:

• Faith first (Hebrews 11:6)

• Virtue as fruit (Galatians 5:22–23)

• Gratitude as response to grace (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

This rejects self-salvation and affirms:

“What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Summary

Taken together, our crest proclaims:

• Christ at the center of knowledge

• Faith as defense

• Learning as illumination

• Growth as rooted obedience

• Education as covenantal formation

Ours is not merely academic—it is confessional