Catholic Social Teaching at Sacred Heart 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
– Matthew 5:9

An Inclusive Approach to Social Teaching

We are proud that Sacred Heart is a diverse and inclusive school, where children from many different faith backgrounds come together to live out shared values. We honour and respect every child’s spirituality, and Catholic Social Teaching gives us a common language of dignity, justice, and care.

Working together, we help children grow into compassionate, reflective, and courageous citizens who understand that building a better world is everyone’s responsibility.

A Faith That Takes Action

Modern Catholic Social Teaching began with the Church’s response to injustice in the 19th century through the landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891). Since then, CST has grown through the voices of Church leaders and movements around the world. In recent years, Pope Francis has deepened CST with powerful messages in Laudato Si’ (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020), reminding us that we are all interconnected and responsible for one another.

At Sacred Heart, CST is not just taught in Religious Education lessons—it is woven into the fabric of everyday school life. It inspires the way we approach learning across all subjects, including English, History, Geography, and Science. Our assemblies, collective worship, and discussions about current events help children apply these principles to real-life situations.

Catholic Social Teaching at Sacred Heart

At Sacred Heart, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is at the heart of our school life. Guided by CAFOD’s animal mascots, we teach our children how to live out their faith by making a positive difference in our school, our community, and the wider world.

1. Human Dignity – Everyone is Special

• Our Mascot: Luc the Deer reminds us that every person is unique and valuable.
• Scripture: "Each person is a work of art, created by God." – Ephesians 2:10
• How we live this out:
  • Treating everyone with kindness and respect.
  • Promoting equality and inclusion across our school.
  • Valuing every individual’s voice, talents, and worth.

   

2. The Common Good – Working Together for Everyone

• Our Mascot: Chikondi the Giraffe looks out for everyone to make sure no one is left behind.
• Scripture: "Think of what is best for each other." – 1 Thessalonians 5:15
• How we live this out:
  • Working cooperatively in our classrooms and play areas.
  • Supporting one another and celebrating shared success.
  • Taking active responsibility for the well-being of our school community.

   

3. Participation – Taking Part and Doing Our Best

• Our Mascot: Patariki the Penguin shows us that everyone has an important role to play in the team.
• Scripture: "Do the hard work of getting along with each other." – James 3:17
• How we live this out:
  • Respecting and celebrating everyone's unique contributions.
  • Encouraging fair, responsible choices in daily school life.
  • Taking pride in doing our best for the good of others.

   

4. Subsidiarity – Everyone Has a Voice

• Our Mascot: Sid the Sheep reminds us that even the smallest voices matter and deserve to be heard.
• Scripture: "Blessed are those who maintain justice." – Psalm 106:3
• How we live this out:
  • Giving children an active role in shaping our school community.
  • Teaching children to listen to others and express themselves kindly.
  • Speaking up for what is right and fair.

   

5. Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation

• Our Mascot: Sophia the Sloth reminds us to slow down, notice, and protect our beautiful world.
• Scripture: "Be protectors of God’s handiwork." – Pope Francis (Laudato Si')
• How we live this out:
  • Keeping our school tidy and respecting the local environment.
  • Reducing waste, recycling, and making sustainable choices.
  • Appreciating the beauty and wonder of nature.

   

6. Solidarity – We Are One Human Family

• Our Mascot: Shristi the Sun Bear reminds us to stand together with our brothers and sisters globally.
• Scripture: "If you want peace, work for justice." – Pope Paul VI
• How we live this out:
  • Supporting both local food banks and global charitable campaigns.
  • Showing deep compassion, empathy, and friendship across differences.
  • Learning about and standing up for global fairness.

   

7. Option for the Poor – Putting the Vulnerable First

• Our Mascot: Poppy the Pōpokotea teaches us to look out for the smallest and most vulnerable among us.
• Scripture: "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat." – Matthew 25:35
• How we live this out:
  • Organizing targeted fundraising and charity drives.
  • Raising awareness about poverty and social inequality.
  • Putting the needs of others before our own comforts.

   

8. Distributive Justice – Sharing Fairly

• Our Mascot: DJ the Dolphin reminds us to share resources so that everyone has enough.
• Scripture: "God loves a cheerful giver." – 2 Corinthians 9:7
• How we live this out:
  • Sharing our school equipment and resources fairly.
  • Ensuring everyone gets an equal opportunity to learn and play.
  • Challenging selfishness and practicing generosity every day.

   

9. Promoting Peace – Being Peacemakers

• Our Mascot: Daisy the Dove guides us to bring peace, harmony, and healing to our community.
• Scripture: "Blessed are the peacemakers." – Matthew 5:9
• How we live this out:
  • Resolving playground and classroom conflicts peacefully through dialogue.
  • Practicing forgiveness and saying sorry when we make mistakes.
  • Creating a calm, safe, and welcoming school environment for all.

Living the Mission Every Day

Catholic Social Teaching is not a topic we learn once—it is a way of life at Sacred Heart. Through our curriculum, worship, charitable activities, and everyday choices, we encourage all children to grow into people of integrity, ready to make a positive difference in the world.

Together, rooted in our Catholic values and respectful of all faiths, we work for the common good—building a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world, one act of love at a time.

Phrases for Parents

The extent to which pupils contribute to and benefit from the life and mission of the school Catholic identity, charism and mission

Charism comes from the Greek word (Charis) used in the New Testament for ‘favour’ or ‘freely given gift’ from God. So charisms, or spiritual gifts, are gifts given through the grace of the Holy Spirit to enable followers of Jesus to become powerful channels of God's love and presence in the world.

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a body of doctrine and principles that guides Catholics on how to live their faith in the world, particularly in social and economic matters. It emphasizes the inherent dignity of every human being, the common good, and the importance of working towards a just and peaceful society. CST is rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and the teachings of popes, bishops, and theologians. 

Human dignity – every person possesses worth and dignity.

The common good – the social conditions that allow people to flourish in their communities, including the rights and responsibilities of all citizens.

Solidarity – a sense of interconnectedness and mutual responsibility for the wellbeing of all people, especially the vulnerable. The church has a preferential love for the poor and vulnerable, advocating for their needs and rights. 

Subsidiarity – the principle that decisions and responsibilities should be made at the lowest level possible, closer to those affected, while respecting the authority of higher levels.