Catholic Social Teaching
At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) guide how we live, learn, and grow together. These values shape our relationships, our decisions, and our commitment to building a just and compassionate world.
Each term, we focus on one of the seven key principles of CST, paired with the Jesuit Virtues and the liturgical season, helping children connect faith with action in meaningful ways.
| Term | Jesuit Virtues | CST Focus | Liturgical Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Attentive & Discerning | Human Dignity | Start of Year / Ordinary Time |
| Term 2 | Faith-filled & Hopeful | Common Good | Advent & Christmas |
| Term 3 | Eloquent & Truthful | Participation | Ordinary Time |
| Term 4 | Compassionate & Loving | Option for the Poor | Lent |
| Term 5 | Intentional & Prophetic | Solidarity & Distributive Justice | Easter Season / Pentecost |
| Term 6 | Grateful & Generous | Subsidiarity & Promoting Peace | End of Year / Ordinary Time |
Stewardship, the care for creation and responsible use of resources, is woven through every term. It is highlighted in assemblies, lessons, and school-wide initiatives throughout the year, reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect God’s creation.
Through this framework, our children grow not only in knowledge but in wisdom, compassion, and courage — living out their faith in everyday actions.
We use the CAFOD resources to help teach our children about CST.
The animal mascots are used with EYFS, KS1 and KS2. We think about how we act to build a better world.
Stewardship
At St Mary’s, Stewardship means caring for the many gifts that God has entrusted to us — our environment, our talents, and the resources we share. Guided by our faith and the example of Sofia the Sloth, we learn to live thoughtfully, act responsibly, and protect creation for future generations.
We believe that all living things are connected, and that our choices today shape the world of tomorrow. Stewardship is woven into our curriculum, assemblies, and school initiatives, encouraging children to live simply, sustainably, and in solidarity with others.
“...the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us.” — Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ 159
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” — Genesis 2:15
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” — Psalm 24:1
“Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home.” — Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ 13
Through Stewardship, our children learn that caring for creation is not just a responsibility — it’s a joyful expression of love, gratitude, and hope.