Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching, calls us all to work for the common good, help build a just society, uphold the dignity of human life and work for justice and the dignity of all our brothers and sisters, especially those in the greatest need.
What does Catholic Social Teaching look like in our school?
Dignity of the Human Person
Every human person is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, every person’s life and dignity must be respected and supported from conception until the end of their natural life on earth.
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EYFS |
KS1 |
KS2 |
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God made me and loves me very much |
God loves us equally as His children |
We are all equal in God’s eyes and loved |
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God made me and all my friends very beautiful |
We are all different and amazing |
I have been given a special gift for the world |
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We show our love for each other |
We love and look after each other because we are brothers and sisters |
Each person is unique and irreplaceable- everyone matters |
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We thank God for loving us and our love for each other |
Loving each other makes us strong |
People matter more than possessions |
Family and Community
The human person is not only sacred, but social. How society is organized, be it socially, economically, legally or politically has a direct impact on the dignity and growth of every human person and community. Marriage and family should be supported and strengthened. Every person has a right to work to support themselves and their families as well as the building up of the common good for all.
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EYFS |
KS1 |
KS2 |
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My family at home |
We are all part of a community |
What makes community? |
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My school family |
We look after and care for each other |
Who is in my community? |
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We are all different and we love and care for each other |
I belong to my family and my community |
Building up the community |
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We love and look after each other because we are all brothers and sisters in God’s family |
My community needs me |
Building up the kingdom of God |
Solidarity and the Common Good
We are all People of God, one family. Therefore what happens to one has an impact on all, locally, nationally and globally. At the heart of solidarity is the pursuit of peace and justice. Our love for all calls us to work for a peaceful and just society where everyone has a fair share of the goods needed for a sustainable life, and opportunities for growth and development are offered equally. The dignity of every person is respected.
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EYFS |
KS1 |
KS2 |
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We are friends |
We are brothers and sisters- one family- one world |
I listen to you with my ears, eyes, heart and mind |
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We play together in love and peace |
We learn together |
We walk together as people of peace |
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We help each other |
We build together a community of peace |
We face challenges together |
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We thank God for each other |
We celebrate together |
Building our mission team |
Dignity of Work
Work is a way in which we can continue to participate in God’s creation. Work gives dignity to life and must be carried out in such a way that the basic rights of workers are respected. Everyone has the right to productive work, to fair and liveable wages, and to organize and join a union. The economy must be conducted so that it serves the needs of the people.
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EYFS |
KS1 |
KS2 |
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We are helping to do God’s work |
Everybody’s work is valuable and important for the community |
Exploring our understanding of work. How does our work build us up? |
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We use our gifts for each other |
Working together to build up our school family |
The many sides of working together to build up community |
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Everybody’s gifts are needed to build God’s world |
Finding my special job- my gift to the world |
Recognising and helping others to find their gift and share it |
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When we build together we can do much more |
Working hard to be the best you can be for others |
Enabling each other to aim high |
Rights and Responsibilities
Every person has a fundamental right to life. It is this right that makes all other rights possible. Everyone has the right to food, health care, housing, education and employment. We all need to strive to secure and respect these rights for others both locally and globally.
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EYFS |
KS1 |
KS2 |
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God wants everyone to be happy |
Happiness is? Exploring what makes us happy |
Barriers to happiness |
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God gives us all we need to be happy |
Finding happiness with each other |
Exploring our responsibilities for each other |
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Making the right choices |
Helping each other to make the right choices |
Recognising the difference between rights and responsibilities |
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We share all God’s gifts |
Fair shares for all |
Happiness comes in sharing and giving |
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Society is judged on how it cares for the poor and vulnerable – our brothers and sisters. We read in scripture how God has a special concern for the oppressed, poor, vulnerable and those forced to the margins of society. The Church calls us to respond to the cry of the poor and put their needs first. This preferential treatment for the poor and vulnerable must be seen in action in our daily lives.
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EYFS |
KS1 |
KS2 |
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God’s gifts are for everyone (food, clothing, education, medical etc.) |
Some of God’s family have plenty of food, toys and clothes. Some don’t |
Why are some parts of our area richer or poorer than others? |
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Learning to share our toys and food with our friends so that everybody has enough |
Exploring the feelings of those who have plenty and those who have little |
What are the needs of those in a poor area compared with those in a rich area? |
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Helping everybody to be happy by playing, sharing and learning together |
Working together to make our family happy. Exploring fairness and justice |
Helping each other to see brothers and sisters, not strangers, in need. Raising awareness locally and nationally |
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Using our gifts to help others |
Who needs our help? How can we help? |
Being Christ’s voice in our area for those who need us the most |
Stewardship
The world God has created for us has been entrusted to everyone and we are responsible and accountable to God as stewards of the earth. The world has been given to us as a gift, to enjoy and care for so that future generations can enjoy it too. It is in caring for creation that we show our love and respect for its creator.
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EYFS |
KS1 |
KS2 |
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Discovering God’s beautiful creation |
Learning from God’s creation (interdependence) |
All things are connected |
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Playing in and caring for creation |
Making good choices- being responsible |
Enough for everybody’s need, but not everybody’s greed |
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Helping God’s creation grow |
God’s gardeners |
Stewards of God’s world (understanding the concept) |
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Celebrating God’s creation |
Celebrating the harvest |
Seeing God in creation |