At Guardian Angels, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) lies at the heart of our mission and shapes the way we live, learn, and grow together as a school family. Guided by the teachings of Jesus, we encourage our children to put faith into action through kindness, compassion, and service to others.

Through Catholic Social Teaching, pupils learn that every individual is created in the image of God and deserves dignity, respect, and care. We nurture an understanding of the importance of community, fairness, and responsibility for the wider world, helping children recognise how their actions can positively impact others and God’s creation.

CST is embedded throughout school life at Guardian Angels. Across the curriculum, worship, charity work, and daily interactions, children are encouraged to reflect on issues such as poverty, injustice, and environmental responsibility. By engaging with these themes in meaningful and age-appropriate ways, our pupils develop empathy, confidence, and a strong sense of moral purpose.

Our school community actively supports local charities and wider global causes, giving pupils opportunities to show solidarity with those in need and to become active agents of change. Through fundraising, awareness campaigns, and acts of service, children learn the value of working together to build a more just and caring world.

At Guardian Angels, we strive to create an environment where Gospel values are lived out each day — where everyone is welcomed, supported, and inspired to follow Christ’s example through love, respect, and service to others.

See our Caritas in Action Plan here.

What are the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching?

  1. Dignity of the Human Person
    • Every human being is created in the image of God and deserves respect and protection. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
  2. Common Good and Community
    • The common good refers to the social conditions that allow people to reach their full human potential and realize their dignity. This principle emphasizes the importance of community and the need to work for the well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
  3. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
    • Society is judged by how well it treats its most vulnerable members. This principle calls for a preferential option for the poor, ensuring that their needs are prioritized and their voices are heard.
  4. Rights and Responsibilities
    • Human dignity can be protected, and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected, and responsibilities are met. Every person has a fundamental right to life and those things required for human decency.
  5. Role of Government and Subsidiarity
    • The state has a positive moral function; it is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good. The principle of subsidiarity emphasizes that decisions should be made at the most local level possible, as long as they can be effectively addressed.
  6. Economic Justice
    • The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Workers have the right to productive work, fair wages, and safe working conditions. The right to organize and join unions is respected, and private property is understood within the context of the universal destination of goods.
  7. Stewardship of Creation
    • We are called to protect the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. Environmental stewardship is a fundamental moral and ethical issue.
  8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
    • Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent upon right order among human beings.
  9. Participation
    • All people have a right and duty to participate in the economic, political, and cultural life of society. It is essential for human dignity and the development of the human community.

Catholic Social Teaching at Guardian Angels'

Dignity of the Human Person

Human Dignity – Everyone is Special

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you – Jeremiah 1:5

At Guardian Angels’, we recognise the human dignity of others by:

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

Common Good and Community

The Common Good– Taking Part in our Communities

You are not making a gift of your processions to the poor person. You are handing over to them what is theirs. – Saint Ambroise (340-397 AD)

At Guardian Angels’, we work for the common good by:

  • raising awareness of social justice
  • praying for others
  • making connections
  • making socially responsible choices
  • conducting charitable works

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Option for the poor – Some People need Extra Help

The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted. He has sent me…to let the oppressed go free – Luke 4:18

At Guardian Angels’ 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
  • opening our uniform shop

Rights and Responsibilities

Solidarity – We are One Big Family

In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers (or sisters) of mine, you did it to me. – Matthew 25:40

At Guardian Angels’, we show solidarity by:

  • raising awareness of social justice
  • praying for others
  • making connections
  • making socially responsible choices
  • conducting charitable works

Role of Government and Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity– All people Should have a Say

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right- Psalm 106:3

At Guardian Angels’, we show subsidiarity by:

  • recognising our duties as members of a community
  • standing up for what is right
  • following our school rules
  • pupil leadership roles
  • celebration assembly

Economic Justice

Distributive Justice – Being Fair

“…we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’

At Guardian Angels’, we show economic justice by:

  • celebrating Fair Trade Fortnight
  • by sharing our belongs
  • supporting local and global charities
  • collecting food and clothing for families in need
  • fundraising for CAFOD and other charities

Stewardship of Creation

Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation and Gifts

Who turned the wonder world of the seas into underwater cemeteries bereft of colour and life? – Catholic Bishops of the Philippines, 1988

At Guardian Angels’, we show we care for creation by:

  • taking responsibility for our environment
  • making environmentally responsible choices
  • having awe and wonder for the natural world
  • joining the Eco Angels
  • recycling
  • allotment
  • forest school

Promotion of Peace and Disarmament

Promoting Peace – We can be God’s instruments of Peace

Peace…is an order that is founded in truth, nurtured and animated by charity, and brought into effect under the auspices of freedom. – Pacem in Terris, 1963#167

At Guardian Angels’, we promote peace by:

  • praying for others
  • following our school rules
  • creating discussion guidelines
  • special friends (Reception and Year 6)

Participation

Participation – The dignity of Work

A small number of very rich men have been able to lay upon the teeming masses of the laboring poor a yoke little better than that of slavery itself – Rerum Novarum, 1891,#3

At Guardian Angels’, we recognise the dignity of work by:

  • having an active pupil voice
  • child-led prayer and liturgy
  • reviewing and respecting the Convention of the Rights of the Child
  • joining after school clubs
  • sports captains
  • playground leaders