Catholic Social teaching in action

Food Festival

Children, families, and staff from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School came together this term to celebrate the rich diversity within our community through a vibrant food festival. Families and staff were invited to prepare and share a dish of their choice, filling the school hall with incredible aromas as cuisines from around the world blended in one joyful space.

Children and families enjoyed familiar favourites and discovered new flavours, creating opportunities for conversation, learning, and connection.

This celebration reflects the Catholic Social Teaching principle of Participation, as every member of our school community was given the chance to contribute, share, and take part in building a welcoming and inclusive environment. By coming together, we strengthened the bonds that make St Joseph’s such a special place to belong.

Harvest Festival Donations

Our Harvest Festival is a beautiful expression of Catholic Social Teaching, where children live out the values of compassion, solidarity, and service. Through their generous donations to the local food bank, pupils embody the principle of the Preferential Option for the Poor, recognising the dignity of every person and responding to the needs of those most vulnerable in our community.

Delivering the Donations to Hive Hope Foodbank

Our Year 6 children actively participated in the principles of Solidarity and Participation, as they walked to deliver the Harvest Festival donations, understanding that we are called to work together to build a just and caring society. This simple yet powerful act also reflects Stewardship, as children share the fruits of creation with others, promoting fairness and gratitude. 

In this way, our Harvest Festival becomes more than a tradition—it becomes a living lesson in faith, love, and justice. 

As a Catholic school, we are committed to nurturing the spiritual, moral and social development of all of our pupils. The seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching reflect our school values and serve as a guiding light in our mission to promote justice, peace and solidarity in our community and beyond.  

As a school, we use CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) resources to support our pupils to fully understand the principles.  These principles encompass themes of human dignity, solidarity, care for the environment, and the common good, inspiring our pupils to be compassionate and engaged citizens of the world.