Catholic Social Teaching

At St. John’s Catholic Primary School, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is at the heart of our Christ-centered community, guiding our mission to serve others and care for all members of society. Senior leaders ensure that staff and pupils alike are grounded in the teachings of the Gospels, emphasizing our responsibility to act with compassion and service, both within our school and in the wider local and global community.

Our pupils are regularly involved in acts of service, learning to connect the theology of the Gospels to their words and actions. Through these experiences, they aspire to follow Jesus’ example by showing care and compassion, particularly for those most vulnerable or in need. Whether participating in local outreach or global initiatives, students are encouraged to take a thoughtful and active role in promoting the common good.

Catholic Social Teaching is woven into the fabric of daily life at St. John’s, informing every aspect of our work. Our pupils engage in projects and activities that support vulnerable members of society, whether at a local, national, or global level. Throughout the year, the school maintains strong connections with charitable organizations such as CAFOD, The Catholic Children’s Society, Cancer Research, and the local foodbank. Fundraising efforts and calls for support are met with overwhelming generosity from our students, parents, and staff, who are always eager to respond to the needs of others.

This commitment to Catholic Social Teaching is evident in the way we celebrate and embed its principles into our daily practice. We are especially proud of our ongoing efforts to work toward the CAFOD LiveSimply Award, which reflects our dedication to living sustainably and caring for God’s creation. By fostering an environment of service and solidarity, we ensure that our students leave St. John’s not only as confident learners but also as compassionate, socially responsible individuals ready to contribute positively to the world.

 

What does ‘Catholic Social Teaching’ mean?

Catholic Social Teaching is grounded in the belief that the Almighty has crafted a grand design for His creation - a blueprint for establishing a realm of harmony, compassion, and equitable treatment for all. This doctrine maintains that the Lord has devised a unique purpose for each individual, regardless of their station in life. Our role in this divine plan extends far beyond purely spiritual matters, encompassing every facet of our existence, from our most heartfelt prayers to our conduct as conscientious global citizens.

The Roman Catholic Church has distilled these teachings into seven core principles, which we endeavour to impart to our children at St. John's through various means. These principles are woven into the fabric of our curriculum, highlighted during special events and activities, and exemplified through our day-to-day actions within the school environment. By embracing these teachings, we aim to nurture a sense of social responsibility and ethical awareness in our pupils, shaping a generation of compassionate, socially conscious individuals prepared to make meaningful contributions to society.

The seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching

Dignity

 Dignity means ‘the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect’. Therefore, ‘Dignity’ in Catholic Social Teaching means that every human being should be treated equally. This is because everybody is made in God’s image and His likeness and therefore equal in the eyes of God. This is so important that the other principles are based on this

Community and participation

 This is about our own call to be an active part of our community. God didn’t make us to live by ourselves. We’re meant to interact with others. The relationships we have help us learn about ourselves and others. Therefore, God wants us to get involved with those around us; supporting one another and helping build a better world for all. 

 Creation

 This is about our call to care for the world. This because, we as Catholics, believe that the Earth and all it contains has been created as a gift for us by God. The resources of the Earth are not infinite. They have been given to us and to future generations. How we treat the Earth has a real impact on people now and in the future.

Solidarity and peace

 Solidarity means ‘agreement of feeling or action’. In Catholic Social Teaching this means being together with other people in agreeing and promoting peace in the world. We do this because we believe we are all sisters and brothers of one another because God made all of us in His image. We should work to make sure everyone is living in peace with each other.

Option for the poor

This principle of Catholic Social Teaching helps us to focus on those most in need: the poor. It calls us to think carefully about people living in poverty and how we can help in our choices and actions. We cannot ignore people who are poor; we have to help them as much as we can.

Dignity of workers

 Work is more than simply being able to earn money. It is about being able to support yourself and your family. It is about finding something you’re good at and feeling important. Everyone deserves to find a job they enjoy and are good at.

Social Justice

Social Justice

There is no democracy with hunger, nor development with poverty, nor justice in inequality.”

Pope Francis, 2019

Social Justice

Social Justice can be defined as the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. At St. John’s, we have this at the heart of what we do.

Below you will see some of the work we have done to support Social Justice within our local community.

Fairtrade

We are currently a ‘Fair Achiever’ School. 

At this point, the school has fully embedded Fairtrade into their daily life and work to raise awareness of Fairtrade in their local community.

LiveSimply