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Ways we live out Catholic Social Teachings at St James’:

  • All children are recognised and treated as Individuals. Staff recognise Imago Dei in all of our children and encourage them to treat one another with dignity and respect at all times.

  • St James’ operates a second hand clothing shop which all families can access, thus supporting the care of our Common Home.

  • St James’ has a strong recycling scheme that supports the care of our Common Home and teaches our children the idea of Stewardship. St James’ has also made the transition to wooden cutlery.

  • We have a wild garden, a herb garden and bug hotels in order to support our environment and look after the world that God has provided to us for future generations

  • St James’ holds a variety of Charity events throughout the school year, where we support a host of different projects. Children display subsidiarity by choosing the charities that align with their faith and values.

  • Catholic Social Teaching principles are prominent within the school environment ensuring that all children are aware of the principles and how they can act upon them in their daily activities

Updates for each half term 2024/25

Our eight key principles of Catholic Social Teaching align with our school values, purpose and mission statement, to ensure that at the heart of our teaching is a collective aim to make a real difference to local, regional, national and international issues.

Our key principles are…

Dignity

Every human being has in-built dignity because he or she has been created in the image and likeness of God.

“In the image of God he created them, male and female he created them” Genesis 1:27

Solidarity

Not just doing things for other people but acting with them to build a more just world together

“We are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body” Romans 12:5

Common Good

Whatever is needed for each and every person, and creation, to flourish

“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need” Acts 2: 44-46

Subsidiarity

As far as possible, decisions should not be taken at the highest levels, but by the people who are most affected

“Jethro said to Moses: Let them bring every important case to you, but decide every minor case themselves” Exodus 18:22

Rights and Responsibilities

When one person has a right, others have a responsibility to uphold that right

“Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship” 1 Samuel 10:25

Option for the Poor

To choose to consider the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable people first

“When Lord did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40

Stewardship

We are called to care for creation as stewards, not just as consumers

“God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and guard it” Genesis 2:15

Dignity of Work and Participation

People have a right and a duty to take part in shaping a more just and human society.

“Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action” 1 John 3:18

God with us in light and darkest days
We pray for all impacted by earthquake, flood or other disaster: survivors, displaced people, loved ones, lost ones. Where there’s life, let there be rescue.
Where there’s need, let there be care.
Where there’s loss, let there be consolation.
We pray for all on the ground, responding with urgency: emergency workers, medics, people donating food and blood. Where there’s fear, let there be hope.

Where there’s confusion, let there be clarity.
Where there’s weariness, let there be rest.
As we pray for people directly affected, we pray also for ourselves: aware, far-off, watching on. Where there’s compassion, let there be action.
Where there’s love, let there be solidarity.
Where there’s concern, let there be generosity.
God with us in light and darkest days – hear our prayer.

Amen.

Jesus looked at them and said,
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”

Matthew 19:26

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