Our school has decided to pursue the CAFOD Live Simply award. This is an opportunity for us to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us.” You can find out more about this by clicking on the image below.
Intro Lite English (youtube.com)
We are delighted to have achieved the CAFOD Live Simply award in recognition of our
school’s commitment to living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poorest
communities. Through the Living Simply initiative, our school continues to make a positive
impact on our global family, our local community and our school community, as we live out
the teachings of Laudato Si’ and Catholic Social Teaching.
Please find below our certificate for this award, along with a photo of the pupils who spoke
with the CAFOD assessors to share the wonderful work our school carried out to achieve
this special recognition.
Loving God,
You made this beautiful world that we all share.
Help us to live simply,
and be thankful for all that you have given us.
Help us to look after our earth,
so that everyone may enjoy it.
Help us to share with others,
so that everyone has what they need.
Amen.
CAFOD stands for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. Find out more about CAFOD’s LiveSimply award for schools here:
An introduction to LiveSimply for schools | CAFOD (youtube.com)
This animation helps explain why LiveSimply is important, and the impact it can have on our school, our neighbours and our global community.
Discerning Disciples is the religious education curriculum for Catholic primary schools in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. It has been developed in full accordance with the Religious Education Directory (RED), the curriculum directory issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales which sets out what pupils in Catholic schools should know, understand, and be able to do in religious education.
The curriculum supports the shared mission of our diocesan family of schools: forming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice.
Discerning Disciples is organised into the six ‘branches’ of the RED, which align with the Catholic Church’s liturgical year:
Across these branches, pupils encounter Sacred Scripture, deepen their knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and teaching, study prayer, liturgy, and the sacraments, and consider how faith is lived in the world. Through Dialogue and Encounter, they also learn about other faiths and religions, and develop the knowledge, understanding, and dispositions needed for respectful dialogue.
At the heart of Discerning Disciples are the RED’s three ways of knowing: understand, discern and respond. Pupils are therefore encouraged not simply to acquire religious knowledge, but to think deeply about what they learn, make connections, consider different perspectives and make thoughtful judgements. In doing so, religious education helps pupils to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding and to reflect on how what they learn might shape the way they live.
At St Michael’s, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is at the heart of our mission and helps our pupils understand what it means to live out our faith through love, compassion, justice and service.
Throughout the year, pupils from EYFS to Year 6 explore key principles of Catholic Social Teaching through Scripture, prayer, discussion and practical action. We want our children not only to understand these principles, but to recognise how they can put their faith into action in school, at home and in the wider community.
Our Catholic Social Teaching Principles
Every Voice Matters (Subsidiarity)
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.” – James 1:19
- We believe that every person has a voice and deserves to be listened to.
- Inspired by Jesus listening to Bartimaeus, our pupils learn to share their ideas and listen respectfully to others.
- Pupils are encouraged to use their voices responsibly and recognise that their views can make a difference.
- This is reflected in our Pupil Voice, School Council and pupil leadership opportunities.
Caring for God’s Creations (Stewardship)
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – Genesis 2:15
- We recognise the world as a precious gift from God and our common home.
- Through the Creation story and the teaching of Laudato Si’, pupils learn about stewardship and our responsibility to care for creation.
- Pupils are encouraged to develop simple and sustainable ways of living.
- We put this into practice through recycling, gardening, litter-picking, outdoor learning and caring for our school environment.
Fairness for All (Distributive Justice)
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
- Jesus teaches us to share and care for those in need.
- Pupils explore what it means to be fair and understand that everyone has different needs and circumstances.
- We encourage children to recognise the needs of others and to share what they have.
- Through charitable giving, food bank collections, fundraising and community support, pupils learn to promote dignity and fairness for all.
Being Peacemakers (Promoting Peace Through Justice and Reconciliation)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
- We are called to be peacemakers.
- Through the example of Jesus and the Parable of the Prodigal Son, pupils learn about forgiveness, reconciliation and resolving conflict peacefully.
- Pupils are encouraged to think about the impact of their words and actions on others.
- In school, this is lived out through restorative conversations, prayer for peace, respectful relationships and opportunities to reflect on conflict and injustice.
Everyone is Special (Human Dignity)
“God created mankind in his own image.” – Genesis 1:27
- Every human being is made in the image and likeness of God and is precious and valued.
- Pupils learn to recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of every individual.
- We develop respect, kindness, inclusion and understanding within our school community.
- We celebrate diversity and recognise the dignity, experiences and contributions of every member of our community.
Caring for the Poor and Vulnerable (Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable)
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
- Following Jesus’ example, we learn to notice and respond to the needs of others, particularly those who are poor or vulnerable.
- Pupils develop compassion and an understanding that we have a responsibility to support those experiencing hardship.
- We encourage pupils to look beyond themselves and consider how they can make a difference.
- This is reflected in our charitable giving, food bank collections, CAFOD activities and support for local and global communities.
Showing We Care (Solidarity)
“Love your neighbour as yourself.” – Mark 12:31
- We are all part of one human family.
- Inspired by the Good Samaritan, pupils learn to look beyond differences and stand alongside others, particularly when they are experiencing difficulty or injustice.
- We develop empathy and a sense of connection with people in our local community and around the world.
- This is expressed through prayer, fundraising, cultural celebrations and acts of kindness.
Putting Others First (The Common Good)
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbour as yourself.” – Luke 10:27
- Jesus calls us to love God and love our neighbour.
- Pupils explore what it means to look beyond ourselves and consider how our choices can benefit others.
- Through teamwork, service, pupil leadership and caring for shared spaces, children learn that everyone has a part to play.
- Through charitable activities and acts of service, pupils learn how we can help create a community where everyone can flourish.
Faith in Action
“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Catholic Social Teaching is not simply something we learn about – it is something we live. Across the school year, pupils have opportunities to put their learning into action through:
- Pupil Voice, School Council and leadership opportunities
- Charitable fundraising and giving
- Food bank and community collections
- CAFOD activities and Family Fast Days
- Harvest and Lenten giving
- Caring for our school and local environment
- Gardening, recycling and litter-picking
- Prayer and reflection for those in need
- Restorative approaches to resolving conflict
- Celebrating diversity and inclusion
- Supporting local and global communities
- Acts of kindness, compassion and service
Our year concludes with a Catholic Social Teaching Assembly, giving pupils the opportunity to reflect on how they have lived out the principles and to celebrate the difference their actions can make.
At St Michael’s, we encourage every child to understand that their words, choices and actions matter. Through Catholic Social Teaching, we help our pupils grow as compassionate, courageous and responsible members of our school, Church and wider world – following Jesus’ example by putting our faith into action.
Catholic Social Teaching – CAFOD Video
Please click on the link below for a video introducing young people to Catholic Social Teaching:
Here are some of the beautiful RE displays we have in our school:
CAFOD:
CAFOD – Kid’s Zone comprises of fun global activities for children.
Bible Society:
Bible Society is a website whose aim is to make the Bible accessible to all families around the world.
Bible Society – We offer the Bible to the World
The God Who Speaks:
The God Who Speaks is a website linked closely with the Bible Society which aims to help children understand the word of God.
Pray As You Go:
Pray As You Go is a daily prayer session, designed to go with you wherever you go, to help you pray whenever you find time.