Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching 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 use, whoever we are. Our part in this plan is not 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 story 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 six main principles of Catholic Social Teaching that we share with our children through all that we do, through the curriculum, assemblies, special events and activity throughout the school year.
Catholic Social Teaching
We teach the children that, as Catholics, we are called to serve by God. Therefore, we teach our pupils the importance of serving others and promoting social justice. By engaging in acts of service and advocating for those in need, pupils develop a sense of worth by understanding their ability to positively impact the world. Each pupil has a crucial role in our school, holding our faith and social justice close to their hearts. We are advocates for social change, which Pope Francis has advocated as he invites us all to be Missionary Disciples of Christ.
Here are a few of the jobs the children have around the school:
| Year Group | Catholic Social Teaching |
| Foundation 1 | Plant Leaders |
| Foundation 2 | Gardening Leaders |
| Year 1 | Playtime Equipment Leaders |
| Year 2 | St Mary’s Samaritans |
| Year 3 | Eco Warrior leaders |
| Year 4 | Well being Ambassadors |
| Year 5 | Library Monitors, |
| Year 6 | Sports Leaders, House Captains |
There are also many other jobs that the children have which are voted for by the other pupils, which are listed below
| Catholic Social Teaching |
| Prayer Leaders |
| Milk Monitors |
| Book Monitors |
| Library Monitors |
| Well Being Ambassadors |
| Antibullying Ambassadors |
| Sports Leaders |
| Eco Warriors |
| Play Leaders |
| School Council |
| EYFS buddies |
At St Mary’s, we strive to ensure that all our children recognise their important role in continuing Christ’s mission by promoting the Catholic Social Teachings, where together we call for a better, more just world. Our St Mary’s Samaritans lead the way in school; they put their faith into action and are involved in charitable acts, aware of environmental issues as stewards of creation and promote love for their neighbours where people can live in peace and dignity.
Catholic Social Teaching- Service Projects
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| F1 | Sing songs to the Elderly care home | Make hot cross buns for yearMake pancakes for the staff | Sing songs to the Elderly care home |
| F2 | Send Christmas cards to parishioners who are housebound or sick in the local community.Make biscuits for people who help us | Send thank you cards to People Who Help Us
Make biscuits for people who help us |
Send thank you cards to People Who Help Us on our school trip
|
| Year 1 | Sing songs to parish community
|
Send thank you cards to important Women in their lives.Year 1 pupils sing to Year 4. | |
| Year 2 | Design and send Christmas cards to the local schools, churches, Pope
Big Tidy Up |
Organise name the chick competition
Big Tidy Up |
Organise big tidy up for school community. |
| Year 3 | 12 days of Christmas appeal – collecting presents and food for local foodbank. | Organise Easter Hamper Competition
Teach Year 2 playground games
|
Class fundraising stall for summer fair. |
| Year 4 | Fair trade staff | Organise Easter Egg Colouring Competition
Year 4 pupils make book marks for Year 1 pupils |
Lead Rosary
|
| Year 5 | Organise Macmillan Coffee morning, Breast Cancer & Poppy Appeal, Harvest
Singing Christmas carols busking in the community. |
Organise and lead the lenten fundraising appeal
Read Stories to F2 |
Lead Sports Days, intra school events |
| Year 6 | Welcome buddy with the new childrenTidy up the church/hall after Mass/collective worship
Salvation Army Toy appeal |
Organise and lead the toy saleOrganise games for F1
Tidy up the church after Mass
|
Tidy up the church after Mass
Lead Sports Days |
Our commitment to our local community
Jesus doesn’t just call us to serve those in poverty, but to engage with and live in community with them.
“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Luke 14:13-14
Fundraising
Earlier this term we raised money for St Catherine Hospice by holding a crazy hair day. Finola a Samaritan from Year 6 organised this event.
We found out about the Salvation Army Appeal and have visited all the classes in school to explain the appeal to the children. We want to help children and families who have little or nothing under the tree on Christmas morning so we have asked for donations of gifts and toys for this wonderful appeal. We will pass on all the gifts and toys from all the children at our school to the Salvation Army.
Ryedale Free Fridge
Year 4 have been focusing on the importance of community. Lindsay from Ryedale Free Fridge talked to them about how we should work together to help people in the community.
During Lent we decided our commitment to our Global Community would be to raise money to support the people of Ukraine. Our pupils, as leaders, planned and facilitated all of the fundraising events in school. Here is an example of some of the fantastic events planned.
