St Catherine Of Siena Catholic Primary School

Building the Kingdom

“We Live, Learn and Grow in God’s Love.”

At St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School, Building the Kingdom means helping our children grow into the people God calls them to be - kind, compassionate, wise and courageous, ready to make a positive difference in God’s world.

Rooted in the Gospel and the teachings of the Church, our curriculum is more than the knowledge we teach. It is a way of participating in the mission of the Church: to help build the Kingdom of God here on Earth, a kingdom of peace, love and justice.

 

What Building the Kingdom Means to Us

Building the Kingdom is at the heart of everything we do.

We teach children that:

• They are loved by God, unique and precious.

• Every person has dignity and deserves respect.

• We are called to show kindness, forgiveness and compassion in our words and actions.

• We have a responsibility to care for others and for God’s creation.

• Their gifts and talents are meant to be used in service of the common good.

Our pupils learn that faith is not just something we talk about in RE – it is something we live, every day, in all areas of school life.

 

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) at St Catherine’s

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) gives us a clear lens for seeing the world and our place in it. These principles shape our curriculum, our behaviour, our decision-making and our relationships.

 

We help children to understand and live out these seven key principles:

1. Dignity of the Human Person

Every person is made in the image and likeness of God. We teach children that everyone is special, loved and worthy of respect.

2. Solidarity and the Common Good

We belong to one human family. We encourage pupils to stand together, support one another and work for peace and justice.

3. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Jesus showed a special love for those in need. We help children to notice who might be struggling and to respond with generosity and care.

4. Stewardship of God’s Creation

The world is God’s gift to us. We teach pupils to protect and cherish our environment, from our school grounds to the wider world.

5. Dignity of Work

Work is a way of using our God-given gifts. We celebrate effort, perseverance and using our skills to serve others.

6. Family and Community

We grow best in loving, supportive communities. We work closely with families, our parish and the wider community so that children experience belonging and shared responsibility.

7. Rights and Responsibilities

Everyone has rights, but also responsibilities. We teach children to make good choices, to stand up for what is right and to care for those whose rights are not respected.

These principles are not confined to one subject. They are woven through our curriculum, assemblies, prayer, behaviour expectations and everyday routines.

 

Faith in Action: Living the Corporal Acts of Mercy

We want our children not only to learn about justice and compassion, but to practise them.

Throughout the year, pupils take part in activities that express the Corporal Acts of Mercy in simple, practical ways, such as:

• Supporting food banks and local charities by collecting food, toiletries and other essentials.

• Fundraising and awareness campaigns for charities that support the poor, the homeless, refugees or those affected by natural disasters.

• Reaching out to the sick, elderly and isolated through letters, artwork, cards and seasonal gifts.

• Environmental projects such as litter-picking, gardening, recycling and caring for our school environment.

• Cluster and community projects with other schools in the Tolkien Cluster, sharing prayer, outreach and acts of service.

In all these ways, pupils learn that even small actions can make a big difference and that they can be “agents of change” in God’s world.