At St Clare’s, Catholic Social Teaching is not just something we learn about, it is something we live out each day. Rooted in Gospel values, our pupils are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Jesus by caring for others, respecting the dignity of every person and taking responsibility for the world around them.
Through our curriculum, charitable work, pupil leadership and everyday actions, children are given opportunities to put their faith into action. Whether supporting those in need, caring for God’s creation or working together for the common good, our pupils learn that they can make a positive difference in their school, their community and the wider world.
We strive to inspire our children to become compassionate, responsible citizens who live out their faith with courage, kindness and a commitment to justice.
Below you can find examples of how we put Catholic Social Teaching into action
EYFS have enjoyed learning about the important job a neonatal nurse has in a hospital.Thank you to Emma for coming in to speak to the children about caring for premature babies. The children have loved looking after baby pink in their role play hospital.
An Example of Human Dignity:
Through CAFOD assemblies and subsequent fundraising, pupils supported fishermen in Bangladesh to be able to find the fish using technology. This enables these fishermen to earn their own living.
EYFS have enjoyed a visit from Lynette-Rose who is a local PCSO in Coalville as part of our learning on people who help us.She talked about her role in keeping the community safe,her uniform,her day to day jobs and taught us about the history behind a police officers hat.
An Example of The Common Good:
Our most vulnerable pupils are at the forefront of planning any activity or trip. Costs are kept at a minimum with trips being planned using the same bus to minimise costs. Families, who are able to, donate pre-loved uniform, shoes and coats for those in need showing that the Catholic ethos of the school permeates into the wider school community. The school raises money for the CMAT Hardship Fund and has accessed that fund to support one of its pupils.
Year 3 have learnt about parliament this week! We have had a class vote and counted our ballots and we have created poster for our local MP to encourage her to do more for our environment!
Y6 have enjoyed learning about UK Parliament this week in a fun assembly with Educational Officer Malcom.
An Example of Participation:
We support children to find their God-given gifts and talents and we celebrate these through pupil leadership, Star of the Week, Mission Trophies, the Masterpiece Gallery and Subject Shields.
An example of Subsidiarity:
Pupils understand that everyone should have a say and this is reflected in our work on democracy as part of promoting British Values. Pupils know their opinions are sought and valued through votes, surveys and pupil leadership opportunities.
EYFS children enjoyed looking at what tadpoles looked like and the life cycle of a frog.
An Example of Stewardship:
The Eco Team work to improve the school environment such as through litter-picking. They also work in a wider context such as through writing to the local MP to reduce car pollution around school, minimising electricity use at school, encouraging recycling and reducing single-use plastic use. Pupils have a strong sense that they have responsibility for God’s Creation. The school was award the Eco Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction and the Laudato Si Award from the CMAT. Year 5 pupils supported the Forestry Commission to plant trees in the local area.
Year 3 learnt the importance of anti bullying week this week! We thought about all the things that make us happy and made them into paper aeroplanes!
An Example of Solidarity:
Prayers are said in response to world events such as the war in Ukraine and natural disasters, and pupils fundraise for relief efforts. They understand that we should share what we have with those who are struggling. During Lent, pupils and staff fundraise for CAFOD, such as the Big Lent Walk, with volunteers from the organisation coming into school to explain how the money is spent. Pupils are therefore aware of issues across the globe and how they can help. They also understand that, as Christians, we are driven to help those in need. Year 3 wrote to their MP about cancelling the debts of low income countries and the MP came into school to receive their letters and answer their questions.
Delighted to hand over our Harvest collections to Feed the Need, Coalville. We are proud to support our local community, especially those needing our help.
An Example of Preferential option for the poor:
Every Harvest, pupils and staff donate to the local food bank and during Advent, staff complete a reverse Advent calendar for the same cause. Pupils understand they are fortunate to have food on the table and understand that there are people who have nothing.
An Example of Distributive Justice:
Pupils fundraise for a range of charities including MacMillan, Coalville Foodbank, CAFOD, Rainbow’s Children’s Hospice, the Royal British Legion, Menphys and the CMAT’s hardship fund. They understand the need to help others and give generously and willingly. Year 5 wrote to their MP about poverty in Coalville and personally handed them over to her in school.
Year 4 sang alongside Belvoirdale and All Saints at the Armistice Day event at the Clock Tower in Coalville - they place a wreath to remember those who lost their lives.
An Example of Promoting Peace:
Our pupils understand that we should be peacemakers and participate in Reconciliation. The calm environment around the school reflects this understanding.
