Catholic Social Teaching – St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

Catholic Social Teaching forms a key component of the school’s actions and curriculum. This is reflected in our rotation of RE themes across the year, and is also used to contextualise the actions we follow as a school.

A key part of our Chaplaincy (link to be added to this to Chaplaincy) organisation also supports our work in this area and as well as Prayer Leaders we also have School Stewards who work with teachers and school leaders to act in a positive way to support Catholic Social Teaching and the school mission and virtues.

The seven key principles of Catholic Social Teaching we work with and how we treat and encourage children to treat others is by recognising the importance of:

Human Dignity: We believe every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. This is a gift that we all share as fellow human beings; we are all infinitely loved by our Creator. We believe God is present in every human person, regardless of religion, culture, nationality, orientation or economic standing. Each one of us is unique and beautiful. We are called to treat every person and every creature with loving respect.

Working towards the Common good: Children learn to contribute to society by working together for the well-being of the whole community.

Solidarity: This principle teaches that we are all part of one human family and need to stand with and support one another.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: Children are taught to recognize and reach out to those in need, understanding they may require extra help or support.

Rights and Responsibilities: Children learn that everyone has equal rights as a person because we are created in the image of God. These rights go beyond just equality and encourage children to recognise their responsibility to treat others fairly, to share and to look after each other so that we go beyond meeting each others basic needs.

Care for God’s Creation (Stewardship): Children learn to respect the earth and its resources as a gift from God, and that they have a responsibility to care for it.

Family and community: Children are encouraged to see themselves as part of a community that starts with their own families, extends to include the school, the wider local community and church and then beyond this to our global communities.

Through this they are encouraged to see themselves as part of one body that has an inter-relationship that needs to be nurtured and cared for.

How our school Stewards and the school community are supported to understand Catholic Social Teaching.

Everyday Actions: Children learn about CST through participating in daily activities like sharing, helping others, and being kind to everyone.

School Programs: CST is integrated into the RE curriculum using age-appropriate materials and resources. This happens on a termly basis and is also part of the work our Chaplains undertake. It is a thread that is developed through our school worship and focus on school virtues.

Staff are have access to the Caritas programme on Catholic Social Teaching and this supports our ongoing provision.

Community Involvement: Part of the School Stewards role is to see themselves as leaders within our school community and through this reach beyond the school to support fundraising for agreed causes.

In addition, the school is active within the community through the arts and sports and to this end our children and staff are ambassadors within the community of the school’s virtues and values.

Discussion: Discussing how Jesus’s teachings connect to doing good deeds encourages children to reflect on their faith and how it calls them to act justly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNcBCPVbYDU