Catholic Social Teaching
With the support of CAFOD, we have embedded Catholic Social teaching across our school. Each of the 7 principles will have a personalised symbol, drawn by our talented team of children across the school. These principles will be infused across the curriculum and we aim to nuture children and foster an attitude of positive action, based in the knowlege that they can make a difference.
During the year 2024 - 2025, we have pledged to work towards becoming a Live Simply Community, with our community we will work towards gaining the CAFOD Live Simply Award; our Chaplaincy team are already busy making plans! LiveSimply award (cafod.org.uk) The bishops of England and Wales have encouraged all parishes and schools to work towards the award as a way of “protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”
Please see below our symbolic Artwork, produced by children, for each of the 7 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: (you will find these masterpieces displayed proudly in our school hall)
Life and Dignity of the Human Person

Understanding that every person’s life should be respected and supported to ensure that we can flourish in all aspects of life, as children of God.
Saint: St Maximilian Kolbe
Beatitude link: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.”
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, stem cell research, and the use of the death penatly. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
Dignity of Work, Rights of Workers

Through our work, we help others to learn and grow closer to God. We know that we are all ‘Co Workers’ and we work to contribute.
Saint: St. Joseph the Worker
Beatitudes link: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.”
The economy must serve the community, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
Stewardship of God’s Creation

- Being wise in how we share the world and work together to promote how we can use resources wisely.
- Be learned in what our role is to help ‘Our Common Home’.
Saint: St. Francis of Assisi
Beatitude link: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.”
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
Rights and Responsibilities

Understanding what our responsibilities and rights are, and knowing how we can promote and live these out as ambassadors of Christ.
Saint: St Vincent de Paul
Beatitude Link: ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities--to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.