Catholic Social Teaching (CST) at Sacred Heart
At Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is not just something we learn about—it is the living thread woven through everything we do. Our understanding of these core principles directly underpins our school mission statement:
"With joyful hearts, we love, learn and praise as the family of God."
Through our words and our actions, we encourage our pupils to reflect on how God calls us to live, love, and serve one another in our school, our local community, and the wider world.
How We Explore CST Principles Every Week
We explore Catholic Social Teaching in practical, meaningful ways through our school life and collective worship:
Weekly Gospel Assemblies: Every week, our whole school gathers for a Gospel Assembly where we connect the Sunday Gospel reading directly to a CST principle. Children learn how Jesus’ words and actions guide us in responding to the world today.
Weekly CST Reflection Questions: Each week, we focus on a specific CST principle accompanied by a key reflection question. Children contemplate this question in their classrooms, during prayer time, and in their daily routines, encouraging them to put their faith into action.
Faith in Action: From supporting local food banks and global charities to caring for our school environment, our children actively put CST into practice through acts of kindness, leadership, and service.
Catholic Social Teaching for Our Youngest Learners
To help our Early Years and Key Stage 1 pupils understand these big ideas, we use CAFOD’s CST Animal Friends. These friendly animal characters—and their core messages—are prominently displayed around our school, providing an age-appropriate visual way for younger children to live out our mission.
Our CST Principles in Action
Human Dignity
CAFOD Animal Friend: Luc the Lion ("Everyone is special")
Our Mission Link: We love and respect each other as unique individuals created in the image and likeness of God.
Our Understanding: Every human life is sacred and holds equal value. We teach our children that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, kindness, and dignity.
Example of a Weekly Reflection Question: "How can I show respect and kindness to someone who feels left out or different today?"
The Common Good
CAFOD Animal Friend: Poppy the Popokotea ("Think of others, not just yourself")
Our Mission Link: As the family of God, we work together to ensure everyone has what they need to flourish.
Our Understanding: We are all responsible for making decisions that benefit the whole community. Seeking the Common Good means creating a school and a world where everyone can live a full, happy life.
Example of a Weekly Reflection Question: "What choices can I make today that will help make our classroom a better place for everyone?"
3. Subsidiarity & Participation
CAFOD Animal Friend: Clara the Chameleon ("Everyone has a voice and a part to play")
Our Mission Link: We learn and praise together, ensuring every voice in our school family is heard and valued.
Our Understanding: Everyone has the right and duty to participate in society and shape decisions that affect them. In our school, we empower children through our School Council, Eco-Committee, and daily decision-making.
Example of a Weekly Reflection Question: "How can I use my voice and talents to help make positive changes in our school?"
4. Preferential Option for the Poor & Vulnerable
CAFOD Animal Friend: Shanti the Sheep ("Put people who need help first")
Our Mission Link: We follow Jesus’ example of love by standing alongside those who need extra care and support.
Our Understanding: Jesus showed special love for people who were poor, sick, or excluded. We teach our pupils to put the needs of vulnerable people first through charitable giving, service, and advocacy.
Example of a Weekly Reflection Question: "How can we stand up for and support people in our local community or wider world who are facing hardship?"
5. Solidarity
CAFOD Animal Friend: Sid the Sheepdog ("We are all connected in one global family")
Our Mission Link: Loving as a global family of God, knowing we are all connected no matter where we live.
Our Understanding: Solidarity means recognizing that we are one human family. When others suffer—near or far—we stand with them through prayer, learning, and support.
Weekly Reflection Question: "How can we show our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world that we care for them?"
6. Care for Creation (Laudato Si')
CAFOD Animal Friend: Bertie the Bee ("Take care of God's wonderful world")
Our Mission Link: With joyful hearts, we praise God by taking care of the world He created for us.
Our Understanding: Earth is our common home, and God calls us to be responsible stewards of creation. We teach our children to respect nature, reduce waste, and protect the planet for future generations.
Example of a Weekly Reflection Question: "What small action can I take today to care for God’s creation in our school or garden?"
7. Rights and Responsibilities
Our Mission Link: Learning to live responsibly as caring, thoughtful members of God’s family.
Our Understanding: Every person has a fundamental right to life, education, food, and shelter. With these rights come responsibilities—to uphold the rights of others and look after our global neighbors.
Example of a Weekly Reflection Question: "How am I fulfilling my responsibility to protect the rights and feelings of others today?"