Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is based on the belief that God has a plan for creation, a plan to build his kingdom of peace, love and justice.

It holds that God has a special plan for every single one of us, whoever we are. Our part in this plan isn’t just limited to things ‘spiritual’, or times when we do “religious things.” It involves every aspect of our lives, from the things we pray about, to how we live as a responsible global citizen.

Our part in this is a kind of vocation for the common good, a call to treat everyone as our brothers and sisters.  It is something that we all share.

The Catholic Church has seven principles of social teaching that we share with our children through all that we do, through the curriculum, special events and activity and through our ordinary actions in school.

Catholic Social Teaching underpins the essence of our daily school life. As members of the Catholic Church, we are all called upon to preserve the dignity of all human beings, to care for creation, and to reach out to our sisters and brothers in need.

Pope Francis emphasises that it is our duty to work together to bring about a more just and peaceful world: to put love into action. It is vital that our children can articulate the connection between Jesus’ teaching and doing good deeds.

Our mission statement encapsulates CST-

Mission

We love one another, just as God loves us.

We are respectful, welcoming, and inclusive.

We learn together, using our unique gifts to achieve personal excellence.

We are active members of our parish, our community and wider world seizing every opportunity to make a difference.

Love one another as I have loved you

John 13:34

Oscar Romero Award for Catholic Social Teaching

The children of SJB have put their faith into action and have been awarded the Participator Level of the Oscar Romero Award for Catholic Social teaching. The award stated that:

• Our Mission statement reflects CST and permeates throughout the school
• The school’s commitment to fulfilling CST should be commended
• The pupils exhibit an outstanding contribution to those in need
• SJB is proactive in working alongside outside agencies in the delivery of a curriculum which encompasses CST. Key subjects address CST elements such as climate change, together with lessons in RHSE, RE, history and science.
• The school has the ECO green flag award
• The children have been commended by both King Charles and the Prime Minister for their enthusiasm and work on prevention of climate change and biodiversity of the ocean
• There is a strong commitment to charity both at home and abroad. It is delightful to read the breadth and depth of opportunities pupils experience at SJB.
• The pupils are given and take on leadership opportunities and clearly have a ’voice’ across all areas of school life, School council, ECO council, Bike Crew, SJB Messengers.
• National projects are supported and promoted such as Anti Bullying week, Children in Need, Macmillan coffee mornings, CAFOD and a local Foodbank