The Common Good
The Common Good (as described by Pope John XXIII) is the, “Sum total of social conditions, which allow people, either as groups or as individuals to reach their full fulfilment”.
The Common Good, can only be truly achieved when we work together to improve the wellbeing of people in our society and the wider world. As Catholics, our faith calls on us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty.
At St Agnes, we teach our pupils to follow in the footsteps of Christ, giving them the opportunity to show justice, love and the peace of God in our unjust and sometimes broken world. We offer our pupils ownership of this through giving them roles of leadership and responsibility: House Captains, Eco-Warriors, Play Leaders, Anti-Bullying ambassadors, school councillors and our new role the Social Action Leaders. Through these roles, pupils actively engage in charitable outreach projects, which benefit not only those in need but our pupils by developing their own understanding of social responsibility.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
There are 7 Catholic Social Principles that the children learn about at St Agnes’:
1) The Life and Dignity of the Human person – This is the belief that everyone is made in the image and likeness of God and therefore must be treated with love and respect.
2) The rights and responsibilities of the Person – following on from principle one, every person has a basic dignity which includes rights and responsibilities.
3) Common Good /Participation (The call to family, community and participation) – This principle is about support and contribution. Families are precious and need to be supported- it is where we learn our values and how to interact in society. We are called to live within a community.
4) The dignity of work and the rights of workers – The right to work is an expression of Human dignity. Through employment and work, we build self-esteem and are enabled to live full lives.
5) The option for the poor and vulnerable – At the centre of Jesus’ Ministry were the poor. We are called to reach out to those who are poor, marginalized or victims of injustice.
6) Solidarity – Helps us to treat others not as others but as our brothers and sisters- our neighbours.
7) Stewardship / Care for our common home (The universal destination of created goods) – This principle is about the goods of the earth and that they are for us all.
Each half term, the children have one extra lesson about the Catholic Social Teaching’s in a lesson outside of RE. This is so children understand that being a Catholic is at the core of all our learning and we can show how we are a Catholic in many different ways. The children explore a variety of the teachings throughout the year to gain an understanding of how to live them in their lives.
Please find a link to the long term CST planning across the school below:
Charitable outreach 2023-2024
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Local | In September, St Agnes’ parents and carers had the wonderful opportunity to support a local charity- Maggie’s Cancer Clinic at the Royal Free. With the help of the House Captains organisation, parents were treated to a coffee morning with some delicious cakes and treats on offer. This morning raised money for a very worthwhile local charity that provides so much comfort to so many experiencing a difficult time in their lives. The children came to school dressed in their pyjamas. In total £782.65 was raised for this wonderful charity. In November, the Social Action Leaders organised a donation for the local Trussell Trust foodbank in Colindale, they created posters and power-points and took time to spread the word to collect donations from families. The families of St. Agnes raised 343.90 kg of donations to support the families over the Christmas period who access the foodbank, this was an incredible achievement and a fantastic way to support the families in need in our local community. In December, the Social Action Leaders took time to prepare the church for Christmas; polishing the pews, tidying the candles, arranging the bookshelf. This is a wonderful way to support the Church community and to give their time. |
| National | In October, the Social Action Leaders have organised a donation for Little Village Charity, this is called 'Winter Warmer' as they need blankets, boots, jumpers, coats and sleeping bags for the families who are being supported by this charity. The families have been very generous and the charity is extremely grateful. In March, the Social Action Leaders raised money to support the schools in the Philippines by sending books over and to the Aid to the Church in Need charity, supporting the Catholics and Christians where they are persecuted. In July, the Social Action Leaders worked hard to create handmade bracelets which they sold at the summer fayre, they raised £51 for Mary's Meals, a charity that is supporte dby St Agnes Church, they provide meals to the children in school in the poorest countries. |
Charitable outreach 2022-2023
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Local | In September, St Agnes’ parents and carers had the wonderful opportunity to support a local charity- Maggie’s Cancer Clinic at the Royal Free. With the help of the House Captains organisation, parents were treated to a coffee morning with some delicious cakes and treats on offer. This morning raised money for a very worthwhile local charity that provides so much comfort to so many experiencing a difficult time in their lives. During the Season of Advent, as part of our local outreach program, pupils from Years 1-6 made Christmas cards for elderly residents at Ashford Place. These were gratefully received and well liked by the elderly people at Ashford Place. As well as this, we supported the Helping Hands charity, the families and pupils at St Agnes' donated different items of groceries to support the families in our community, here at school, to ensure they had basic essentials to help them during the Christmas season and over the Summer period. |
| National | On Friday 3rd February 2023, children dressed up in rainbow colours to raise money for the Diabetes UK. This successful day helped to raise a lot of money for this worthwhile charity which is close to our heart at St Agnes. During the Lenten season 2023, the children are raising money for Catholic Children's Society which supports disadvantaged families and children in the UK. This charity is doing wonderful work to help people in our country who are suffering with the cost of living crisis we are currently facing, an amazing £1,975.35 was raised and donated. |
| International | CAFOD- Medical Outreach For the Season of Advent, The Social Action Leaders and the Eco-Warriors joined forces to fundraise and promote an international project. The Eco-warriors, researched various world gifts and voted for this project as they evaluated the need to help keep other countries safe and clean. One Eco-Warrior, explained why she voted for the gift: “I voted for the Medical Outreach Team because it helps a community of people. The outreach team can also provide training on local health issues like good hygiene practices, meaning that communities are less vulnerable to disease.” |