Catholic Social Teaching is based on the belief that God has a plan for creation, a plan to build his kingdom of peace, love and justice.

It holds that God has a special plan for every single one of us, whoever we are. Our part in this plan isn’t just limited to things ‘spiritual’, or times when we do “religious things.” It involves every aspect of our lives, from the things we pray about, to how we live as a responsible global citizen.  Our part in this story is a kind-of vocation for the common good, a call to treat everyone as our brothers and sisters.  It is something that we all share.

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 activity and through our ordinary actions in school.

At St Aidan’s, Catholic Social Teaching is incorporated into our curriculum. Children are asked to put their faith into action and reflect on how their learning enables them to do so.

At St Aidan’s we recognise the human dignity of others by:

• being respectful
• treating people equally
• raising awareness of civil rights
• preferential option for the vulnerable

At St Aidan’s we show subsidiarity by:

• working together
• working for the common good
• participating and engaging
• being active members of our community

At St Aidan’s we recognise distributive justice by:

• respecting all workers
• contributing to society
• making responsible economic choices
• supporting wellbeing and workers’ rights
• sharing our talents with others

At St Aidan’s we promote peace and participation by:

• recognising our duties as members of a community
• standing up for what is right
• following our school rules

At St Aidan’s we show stewardship by:

• taking responsibility for our environment
• making environmentally responsible choices
• having awe and wonder for the natural world

At St Aidan’s we show solidarity by:

• raising awareness of social justice
• writing to our local leaders
• praying for others
• making connections
• making socially responsible choices

At St Aidan’s we show a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable by:

• fundraising for charitable causes
• raising awareness
• treating others with dignity and respect
• thinking of the needs of others