At Holy Family, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is central to our educational vision and underpins our Mission Statement: Through Work, Through Worship, Through Witness. We ensure that CST guides our school community and shapes our daily lives. These teachings are woven into all aspects of school life, encouraging our children to put their faith into action and serve others with compassion.

Catholic Social Teaching highlights the dignity of every human being, the importance of community and participation, and our shared responsibility to care for God’s creation. These core principles are embedded across our curriculum and activities, helping pupils grow in social awareness and recognise their role as stewards of the world around them. Through classwork, projects, and whole-school initiatives, we inspire children to respond to issues such as poverty, injustice, and environmental care with empathy and courage.

At Holy Family, we actively live out the principles of CST through a wide range of opportunities. Our pupils take part in initiatives that support both local and global communities—such as food bank donations, environmental campaigns, and fundraising efforts for those in need. These experiences nurture a spirit of service and empower children to become responsible, compassionate individuals who strive to make a positive impact.

In our classrooms, CST is explored through thoughtful discussion, prayer, and reflection, helping children make meaningful connections between their faith and the world around them. By engaging with topics like human dignity, social justice, and ecological responsibility, our pupils develop a strong moral foundation and an enduring commitment to the common good.

Through our commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, Holy Family seeks to form individuals who live Through Work, Through Worship, Through Witness—valuing every person, lifting every voice, and acting in ways that reflect the love and teachings of Christ.

What are the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

  1. Dignity of the Human Person
    • Every human being is created in the image of God and deserves respect and protection. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
  2. Common Good and Community
    • The common good refers to the social conditions that allow people to reach their full human potential and realize their dignity. This principle emphasizes the importance of community and the need to work for the well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
  3. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
    • Society is judged by how well it treats its most vulnerable members. This principle calls for a preferential option for the poor, ensuring that their needs are prioritized and their voices are heard.
  4. Rights and Responsibilities
    • Human dignity can be protected, and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected, and responsibilities are met. Every person has a fundamental right to life and those things required for human decency.
  5. Role of Government and Subsidiarity
    • The state has a positive moral function; it is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good. The principle of subsidiarity emphasizes that decisions should be made at the most local level possible, as long as they can be effectively addressed.
  6. Economic Justice
    • The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Workers have the right to productive work, fair wages, and safe working conditions. The right to organize and join unions is respected, and private property is understood within the context of the universal destination of goods.
  7. Stewardship of Creation
    • We are called to protect the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. Environmental stewardship is a fundamental moral and ethical issue.
  8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
    • Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent upon right order among human beings.
  9. Participation
    • All people have a right and duty to participate in the economic, political, and cultural life of society. It is essential for human dignity and the development of the human community.