At St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School, our mission is to “Serve with Love and Strive for Excellence” — and Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is at the heart of how we live this out each day. Inspired by the example of Jesus and the teachings of the Church, we work together as a school family to care for one another, our local community, and our common home.
CST reminds us that we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world — promoting dignity, justice, and love through our actions.
How We Live Catholic Social Teaching
We embed the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in our school life through prayer, worship, learning, and service. Some of the key ways we put these principles into action include:
🌍 Caring for God’s Creation
We take seriously our responsibility to care for our common home, inspired by Laudato Si’.
- Our thriving allotment and Forest School provide fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and wildlife habitats, cared for by children of all ages.
- Our Mini Vinnies lead the way in environmental projects such as the Vinnies’ Pond, bug hotels in the wider community, and the ‘wild pods’ estate project.
- We celebrated Eco Week in partnership with the Liverpool Schools’ Parliament and raised funds for our school prayer garden and CAFOD’s Easter appeal.
- Children took part in the Chester Zoo Palm Oil Project to understand how our choices affect the world’s most vulnerable animals and communities.
🤝 Solidarity and the Common Good
We nurture a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose.
- Our Pilgrims of Hope theme this year, in line with Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year, has inspired special projects like the creative “Doors of Hope” and the Slinks project supporting communities in Tanzania.
- We celebrate diversity in our school family and mark important events such as Ramadan and Eid, Chinese New Year, St Patrick’s Day, and Refugee Week through workshops, cultural events, and assemblies.
- Through collective worship, Eucharistic Adoration, and liturgical celebrations, we come together regularly as one family in faith.
🤝 Caring for Those in Need
We are committed to supporting those in greatest need, both locally and globally.
- Weekly food hampers are offered to families in need within our school community, made possible through Fareshare and donations.
- Fundraising for charities including CAFOD, NSPCC, Children in Need, Samaritans, and local food banks.
- Pupils raise awareness through creative projects and assemblies, understanding the importance of standing alongside others.
👣 Participation and the Dignity of Work
We empower every child to use their God-given gifts and to have a voice in our community.
- Our Year 6 School Officers and Mini Vinnies demonstrate leadership and service, helping shape our school’s mission in action.
- Transition and mission days focus on Gospel values like love, wisdom, respect, fairness, fellowship, service, courage, and hope — helping children see how they can live their faith every day.
Our Commitment
Our Live Simply Award application has now been submitted, and we remain committed to living simply, sustainably, and in solidarity at a personal, local, and global level.
At St Vincent de Paul, we strive to form hearts as well as minds — nurturing children who are compassionate, courageous, and committed to making the world a better place, guided by Catholic Social Teaching and the love of Christ.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)