Catholic Social Teaching

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” 

Matthew 22:37-40

Our School Mission Statement, "Learning with Christ as our guide", has implications for all of us that go beyond our school environment. We recognise that each of our pupils exist as part of society. Every individual has a duty to share in promoting the welfare of the community and a right to benefit from that welfare. This applies at every level: local, national and international.

At St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, our children grow in confidence, character, and faith as they embrace our distinctive Catholic identity and our shared mission. Our pupils understand that they are loved, valued, and cared for as unique individuals, each created in the image and likeness of God. They feel happy, secure, and confident - and because of this, they flourish. They actively seek opportunities to grow in virtue, contribute to the life of the school, and make a positive difference in the world around them.

Our pupils take a leading role in living out Catholic Social Teaching. They are proactive in finding meaningful ways to support others locally, nationally, and globally, and they can clearly explain the Gospel values that inspire their actions. Each year, the children choose the charities we support, helping them understand the real impact their compassion and generosity have on those most in need.

Children at St Bernadette’s show deep respect for themselves and for others. They recognise the dignity of every person and demonstrate kindness, empathy, and understanding towards those of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds. Their behaviour is exemplary both in lessons and around the school - something visitors frequently notice and comment on.

Catholic Social Teaching at St Bernadette’s

Catholic Social Teaching is at the heart of our mission and shapes our curriculum. It is rooted in our belief that every person is made in the image and likeness of God and called to live a life of love, justice, and service.

These teachings are drawn from:

• The Gospels and the words of Jesus Christ
• Papal encyclicals and statements
• Pastoral letters and guidance from Catholic bishops
• Catholic Social Teaching calls us to work for the common good, build a just and caring society, and stand in solidarity with those who need our support the most.

We use the Caritas ‘Rooted in Love’ programme to support our teaching of Catholic Social Teaching. We focus on a different theme every half-term. 'Rooted in Love' was developed in partnership with the Diocese of Westminster Education Service. It addresses the objectives relating to Catholic Social Teaching from the new Religious Education Directory, including prayer and liturgy ideas around each theme as well as suggestions for bringing this work to life in the Catholic life and mission of the school. 

Our Chaplaincy Team have led Catholic Social Teaching Collective Worship sessions through whole-school and phase collective worship in KS2 using the Rooted in Love resources.

At St Bernadette’s, we focus on six key principles:

• Care for Creation
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• Peace and Solidarity
• Community and Participation
• Dignity of the Worker
• Dignity of the Human Person