This week across the school, we came up with a range of initiatives that we could carry out for this half term’s Catholic Social Teaching theme The Common Good. We speak clearly and show respect and responsibility for our sisters and brothers who are in need. We are called to work for the good of each and all.
In Key Stage 1, all classes work together to give their ideas about what it means to love and respect one another, and treating each other with love and kindness and to also love people enough to want to be a part of a greater community. They spoke about taking care of the planet, also how their neighbors are their friends in class, and what they do for their classmates.
In Lower Key Stage 2, they really spoke about fair trade and how we can ensure that people are not taken advantage of, and will have enough to take care of their families and grow their businesses. They also looked at how having community gardens and growing plants could help them in regard to the common good and help the planet.
In Upper Key Stage 2, all the students really did well in putting their ideas across, to explain how we can practice the common good in our everyday lives and what others can also do. They suggested things such as not putting plastic in the sea, treating others the way you want to be treated, and introducing community gardens.
All classes work together to give their ideas about what it means to love and respect one another, and treating each other with love and kindness and to also love people enough to want to be a part of a greater community. They spoke about taking care of the planet, also how their neighbors are their friends in class, and what they do for their classmates.
In Lower Key Stage 2,
Lower key stage 2 really spoke about fair trade and how we can ensure that people are not taken advantage of, and will have enough to take care of their families and grow their businesses. They also looked at how having community gardens and growing plants could help them in regard to the common good and help the planet.
In Upper Key Stage 2,
All the students really did well in putting their ideas across, to explain how we can practice the common good in our everyday lives and what others can also do. They suggested things such as not putting plastic in the sea, treating others the way you want to be treated, and introducing community gardens.
This week key stage 1 looked at what a community truly meant and how important it is to work together in a community. They also were very interested in how they could help one another, they all spoke about how everyone is their neighbor, and how they have helped their friend in the past. Ultimately they had a really good lesson.
In Lower Key Stage 2,
Lower key stage 2 Also looked at how they could help others, they looked at the talents and gifts that they possess and would allow them to help their neighbor who maybe in need. They Also put together some great ideas in regard to the importance of treating each other as though we are all one family.
In Upper Key Stage 2,
Upper Key stage 2 started some very intriguing conversations, looking into why God allows his people to suffer and how God truly loves us and how we are to love one another the same. They really got into the lesson, spending a lot of time asking questions on God’s love, the class learned a lot and did really well in their lesson
The Chaplaincy Team met with Miss Lynch this week to discuss the Catholic Social Teaching theme and where we learn about it in the Bible. They have decided on their mission for this half term. Please see below:
This week for Catholic Social Teaching, we carried out our Catholic Social Teaching initiatives for Solidarity and Peace.
‘The paths of peace are paths of solidarity, for no one can be saved alone. We live in a world so interconnected that, in the end, the actions of each person affect everyone.’ – Pope Francis
In Key Stage 1, the children discussed the best ways they can show peace and solidarity in our local community and they really thought about how they could make a difference. Riley in St Catherine said “we can pick rubbish up off of the floor, so it’s a clean place for everyone to live.” This is a great idea that needs everyone to work together to create a better environment for us all. It requires us to show solidarity and unity. The children spoke enthusiastically about donating toys to Sister Chrstine to be used by children that attend our local warm hub. Nia in St Catherine said “We should donate toys to Sister Christine because some children don’t have toys. If I didn’t have any toys I would be sad.”
In Lower Key Stage 2, the children began their lesson with a quick recap of the meaning of peace and solidarity before creating some absolutely magnificent posters full of information and some well known symbols for peace and solidarity. The discussion included some extremely well made points about the effect we can have on others with such simple acts of kindness, such as being polite and remembering to say please and thank you. In year 3, everyone agreed that it always felt nice to be thanked and we feel happier and peaceful when we receive kindness and positivity. Jonelle in St Damien said “It is important to show solidarity and to be kind to others because we need to be helpful. Also, when we are kind to others, we will receive kindness.” Kosi in St Damien said “If we are all kind to each other then we will create a calm and peaceful environment for everyone and there will be no arguments or disrespect.”
In Upper Key Stage 2, they were set the task of writing their own psalms of peace. They were asked to include a peaceful image and use colours that make them think of calming places or memories. Fabiana from year 5 St Oscar Romero said “I chose to use a green background because it reminds me of nature that God gave us when he created the Earth.” Soriyah from year 5 St Oscar Romero said “I chose to include a picture of a dove because it symbolises God’s holy light.” Evie from St Josephine said “I included a picture of a dove because it’s a symbol of peace.”
This week across the school, we have continued to have discussions on this half term’s Catholic Social Teaching theme Solidarity and Peace. God created us as one global family, called to support our brothers and sisters. We discussed ways in which we can show solidarity and peace to our neighbours in our local, national and global communities.
In Key Stage 1, the children recapped what the words peace and solidarity mean to them and how we can display these values with our neighbours. The children also held an in depth discussion into who we consider to be a neighbour. We spoke about the people that live near us, on the same street and within our local borough. But we extended this to the other students and teachers at OLSJ, as some may live further away, but they are a part of our school community. The children spoke with such enthusiasm about a toy collection to give away some of their old toys and donate them to Sister Christine who can use them in our local warm hub at St Matthias. We also spoke about how incredible it would be if we could get all children at OLSJ to donate one toy each, meaning we would collect over 400 toys. Using solidarity to make a real, positive impact in our local community. Joshua from St Christopher said “I want to give food to a food bank” and when asked why, he explained, “Because if I am kind, then kindness will come back to me.”
Alfie from St Christopher added “I want to give toys to charity because kids need toys to be happy and happiness is peace and solidarity.”
In Lower Key Stage 2, the children discussed the impact we can have on our local, national and international communities if we show solidarity and work together. Although it’s amazing for an individual to donate to charity, if we can work together we will be able to raise more money and collect more food to donate to those in need. If one class of 30 children donated 1 item of food each to a food bank, we would donate 30 items of food. If we could convince the whole school to take part, we could donate almost 500 items of food. But how can we get our message across to the whole school? Posters, the children came up with the idea of creating posters to encourage everyone to show peace and solidarity and being part of our school community to help others, the positive benefits on our community and the size of the impact we could have if we all work together.
In Key Stage 2, The children brought some excellent and insightful ideas to the group discussion about how we can show peace and solidarity throughout our community. Not only were children happy to offer help by donating to charities and food banks, but they were also quick to come up with the ideas of opening a soup kitchen and homeless shelter right here in Poplar. When questioned why they thought they were needed, the children spoke about times they have seen someone living rough and thought these are the people that need us the most. Children in year 5 St Oscar Romero class also brought up the idea of writing a prayer hoping to bring peace to all our neighbours and praying that we all show solidarity and unity to work together to support those who need us.
Ayobami from Year 6 St Maximillian said “It’s worth doing [helping others] because Pope Francis said it’s the poorest communities who suffer the most.”