We are very proud to say that our Participator level application for the Oscar Romero Award has been successful.
"The Oscar Romero Award will support our school in realising and living the unique calling of a Catholic school to become an evangelising centre by empowering young people and staff to become true agents of the change they want to see in the world by putting their faith into action."
https://www.romeroaward.co.uk/
This will be evidenced through all of our activities in school through Catholic Social Teaching and the Catholic Life of the school.
Below is the feedback we received about our work.
We are delighted to inform you that your Participator Level application for St Peter's RC Primary has been successful.
In the strategic strand, four policies have been included to evidence the school’s commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, these policies have been approved by the governing body and outline the mission of the school that states that Together as a faithful community we will live, love and learn so that we are a reflection of Jesus inspiring others to walk with us. CST is clearly articulated in all these policies for instance in the Equality Policy Statement of Intent and in the Anti Bullying policy where there is reference to social justice. There is a strong commitment to support staff mental health well-being by offering a reduced workload as well as flexible working opportunities thereby supporting the principle of dignity. Likewise, children are supported by the Caritas social worker who works with vulnerable families. The Headteacher leads the Mini Vinnies group whose main responsibility is to fund raise to support charitable undertakings. It is encouraging to note that the school is in the process of changing its awards scheme to replace these with CST awards to raise the CST profile with the pupil body. The school is in the process of mapping CST and has produced a comprehensive curriculum map outlining this. This mapping exercise clearly demonstrates how the school is ensuring that CST is embedded through a variety of subjects not just RE. To further develop this strand, lesson plans and extracts from pupils’ work could be included to demonstrate with more depth the impact of this work. To promote the principle of justice and fairness, representatives from CAFOD are invited into school to deliver a whole school assembly focusing on CST. In addition to this, CARITAS has trained the Mini Vinnies and every term a CARITAS award to presented to pupils in recognition of putting love into action. Specifically, the whole school community has been invited to nominate children who have continued with their faith outside of school. Year 6 pupils have taken part in Faith and Belief forums to help them understand and appreciate other faiths. To develop this strand further, information that demonstrates themed curriculum-based activities that support CST could be added as well as information about campaigns that promote sustainability and stewardship. There is plenty of evidence in the practical strand that demonstrates how the school upholds CST principles through fundraising carried out by Mini Vinnies to support a variety of charitable concerns, including those chosen by the children. This includes supporting a local foodbank, raising money to support the Parish SVP as well as supporting the poppy appeal and Macmillan coffee mornings. The school engages children in a variety of leadership roles including, a School Council, Eco Council, Reading buddies and Subject champions. The inclusion of minutes outlining the work of these various groups would have strengthened this section. Other leadership roles include a Head boy/girl and a Deputy. The Eco Council are working on recycling materials and have a scarecrow trail in school and children have made cribs from recycled materials. More information regarding how the school raises awareness of social justice issues would have been a useful addition to this section. The self-assessment statement demonstrates reflection regarding the strengths and weaknesses of your school’s approach to CST. Your submission has plenty of evidence that outlines the work your children carry out to support charitable causes and the curriculum map identifying where CST is embedded across subjects is a great start. You have identified that currently children are not able to articulate the elements of CST and that this is an area for you to focus on by making the links more explicit and clearer. You are to be commended on this approach. The areas for development have been identified in this review so that you can begin working towards Developer level. Congratulations on achieving Participator level. Liz Holford, Oscar Romero Validator
We hope that you will continue to be part of the Oscar Romero Schools and Colleges family.
Catholic social teaching calls us to work for the common good, help build a just society, uphold the dignity of human life and work for justice and the dignity of all our brothers and sisters, especially those in the greatest need.
So what is Catholic Social Teaching?
Catholic Social Teaching Catholic social teaching (CST) is deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition. Pope John Paul II wrote, “The Church’s social teaching finds its source in Sacred Scripture, beginning with the Book of Genesis and especially in the Gospel and the writings of the Apostles. From the beginning, it was part of the Church’s teaching.
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching is social. Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself. Our lives are involved with one another, through innumerable interactions they are linked together. No one lives alone. No one sins alone. No one is saved alone. The lives of others continually spill over into mine: in what I think, say, do and achieve. And conversely, my life spills over into that of others: for better and for worse.
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching is an expression of the Church’s ministry of teaching. The Bishops call Catholic social teaching a “constitutive” part of the Church’s mission to the world. It is not only the prerogative of the institutional church, but of the entire community. “It is the expression of the way that the Church understands society and of her position regarding social structures and changes. The whole of the Church community—priests, religious, and laity—participates in the formulation of this social doctrine.”
The Catholic Church has seven principles of social teaching that we share with our children through all that we do, through the curriculum, special events and through our ordinary actions in school.
Dignity of the human person-Everyone is special- We are beautifully made in the image and likeness of God
Human dignity: All human life is sacred- Everyone is special and should be treated equally.
We value and care for each other as unique persons, made in the image and likeness of God
We treat all children with respect and teach them about relationships.
We encourage all to respect each other and understand that others may have different views.
We will encourage to respect others’ achievements and be proud of their own.
We live our School’s Mission Statement
We celebrate different nationalities
We learn about other faiths
We celebrate diversity
We hold regular CAFOD assemblies
We take part in Anti-Bullying week and take part in Anti-Bulling workshops
Family and Community-it is out of the community that we are sent to love and serve the world.
We have excellent relationships with our parents and families and support our families through our Caritas Social worker
We have close links with our parish
We involve the community in services and assemblies.
We celebrate as a whole community, involving families and governors in events.
Our EYFS children make cards for local people.
Every year, our Yr2 and Yr6 children attend the cenotaph in Middleton and lead a prayer service.
We hold regular school family events
We have a year R and year 6 buddy system
We support local charities
We work closely with the parish on the Sacramental programme
We regularly have mass in school
We build relationship by singing at our local care home
We work alongside St Peter's church in the local community
We donate and support Middleton Food Bank
Solidarity and the Common Good-Thinking of Everyone-We are called to work for the good of each and of all.
Common good: What is best for everyone?
We pray for others
We fundraise and campaign for those in need
We support and campaign for Fairtrade
We actively engage in whole school projects to make a difference to others
We undertake whole school projects supporting us to live out the CST principles
We take part in fundraising events at different points of the year, like the ‘world Gifts’ for CAFOD
We work with CAFOD volunteers
We fundraise for the victims of war and disaster
Dignity of Work & Participation-We all have the right and duty to participate fully in society.
Thank staff and show our appreciation
Be polite and attentive to guests and visitors
Support staff through training
encourage past pupils to return for work experience
Support staff members going through challenging times by our prayers and actions
Treat everyone in our school as family
Subsidiarity: All people should participate and have a say
We give pupils the opportunity to be heard and have their say through our school and eco council
We vote for team members democratically
We support the Chaplaincy, Stewardship and School Council teams to take an actively lead for change and be the voice of change
We speak-up, by campaigning for things we believe in. E.g. COP26 and Fairtrade
Pupil Leadership: Participation
‘Each of us has a part to play, a gift to share, a service to offer, for building up the Body of Christ in love.’ Pope Francis, June 19, 2013
Rights and Responsibilities
Every person has a fundamental right to life. It is this right that makes all other rights possible. Everyone has the right to food, health care, housing, education and employment. We all need to strive to secure and respect these rights for others both locally and globally. Corresponding to these rights are responsibilities. Because we are created in the image of God, we must respect the rights of others and care for others according to God’s commandments and example.
We teach our children through our PHSE curriculum about human rights
We work with the NSPCC to ensure children know how to keep safe
We have clear rules and expectations in school.
Options for the poor and Vulnerable-Putting people in most need first-The needs of the poor and vulnerable should be put first.
We support charities and those in need
We pray for those in need
We take part in theme days to raise awareness and money
We do not judge others
We work alongside CARITAS
We support vulnerable children, parents and families
Stewardship: We are part of and need to care for creation-We are guardians of God’s creation, living sustainably and enhancing the wellbeing of our planet.
We understand we each have a personal responsibility for our Common Home
We put rubbish in the bin
We have an Eco Council Team who actively participate and lead projects across the school
EYFS have Forest school sessions
We conserve energy and look at energy use across the school
We recycle and reuse at school and home
We are working hard to develop our school grounds
We litter pick on the school grounds
We reuse things wherever possible- DT, Art, projects
Year 1 and 2 both did workshops with Edwina from CAFOD. They learned all about the different aspects of Catholic Social teaching.
CARITAS IN ACTION
In January 2023, we launched the ‘Caritas Social Teaching Award’ which will be presented to a pupil in recognition of outstanding achievement in putting their love into action.
Every half term, a St Peter’s pupil will be recognised for ‘putting their faith into action’.
‘Caritas in Action’ has been produced by Salford Diocese as a response to Catholic Social Teaching, which calls us all as Catholics to work for the common good, help build a just society, uphold the dignity of human life and work for justice and the dignity of all our brothers and sisters, especially those in the greatest need.
Bishop John holding the Caritas in action award.
CARITAS IN ACTION AWARD
This little star really wanted to speak up for the children of Rochdale so she entered the Rochdale Children's Champion campaign. She wrote a fantastic speech about how she would improve things for children and all the schools in Rochdale watched the speeches and voted for their favourite candidate. She was so amazing that she won and is now our Rochdale Children's champion. What an amazing achievement.
Hi
I just wanted to say a big thank you to one of your pupils who was in Manchester today giving out chocolates as an act of kindness to make a person smile.
I was outside Central Library when she explained why she was giving me the chocolates. It certainly made me smile and I went on to have a very happy day
Well done to these pupils who completed the Pretty muddy 2023 raising money for Cancer Research. A special well done to Alfie who came second. Proud of you all for raising money for such a great cause.
Well done to Michael who completed the 7km Memory Walk in Heaton Park with a group of six people, including his mum, nanna and baby brother in his pushchair, in honour of his great grandad who is in Nazareth House. He was cheerful and showed resilience throughout. His compassion for his friend with cerebral palsy, who had to walk very slowly, was just heartwarming. He certainly lives out our school values and was a credit to our school family and his own family.
We are so proud of Alfie and Oliver who completed the Lidl tough Mudder at Heaton Park and raised £415 for children with cancer ❤️. What wonderful, kind brothers they are.
Today we held our annual toy sale to raise funds for CARITAS. All the children donated their unwanted toys to sell on the day and then they all brought money to buy toys. We raised £15o as well as having a lovely time looking for bargains.
Our Mini Vinnies decided that they would like to make shoe boxes again for children overseas. A representative from Samaritan's Purse came into school to explain what needed to go inside the boxes and where they would go. The children made 60 shoe boxes which will help to make Christmas special for a child abroad.
Following on from Callum's letter and visit to the Lighthouse Project we had a non-uniform day and the staff bought toys to donate instead of gifts for each other. We took the cash donation and toys to the project and they were delighted. The lady organising Christmas gifts had just run out of toys and was worried about how she could ensure that every child receives a gift at Christmas. She was so happy and grateful and said to tell the children what a big difference their donation would make to the needy of Middleton.
We are very proud of Callum who has decided that he would like to support the Lighthouse project this year. He has written a letter to Mrs Kelleher asking her to support the charity so we are having a Non-Uniform day on Friday.
He went to the Lighthouse project in Middleton and made this video. Click on the link below to find out more.
Harvest
During Autumn 1 we always collect food to celebrate Harvest. This year, we collected tins and packets for The Lighthouse Project in Middleton. When they collected the food, they were delighted and said what a difference this would make to many families living in Middleton.
CAFOD
Catholic Social teaching teaches us that we should take care of our world. This term CAFOD came into school to teach us about Laudato SI. This is the Pope's message to the world to ask us to take care of the environment. Yr4/3 and yr1 both had a workshop with a CAFOD representative. She was very impressed with the children's knowledge about becoming more eco-friendly. We all made our own individual pledges and we are beginning a school wide project. More to come on this!
