At Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Primary School we are aiming to achieve the CAFOD LiveSimply Award, which recognises schools that are committed to living simply, caring for God’s creation, and supporting people in need through practical actions and community projects.
Lent Almsgiving to support our global sisters and brothers.
We will take part in the CAFOD Big Lent Walk- launched in assembly via a CAFOD visitor.
They explained more about their work and how us fundraising with the Big Lent Walk will impact our global communities.
Our whole school alongside our federation and parish community, then took part in a sponsored walk every Wednesday in Lent around the school grounds to raise funds for, and awareness of, CAFOD’s work in supporting our global family.
We event created posters which we will shared these on social media to let more people know.
A link has been sent home for families/governors/parishioners/local people to donate to CAFOD.
(Living in Solidarity)
CST principles – Solidarity, Preferential option for the poor, Human dignity, Participation.
On the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, Father Paul alongside our federation Gift Team and parishioners, took part in a community walk round Burrs, paying close attention to the creation of the world and Pope Francis’ letter ‘Laudato Si’.
We shared this prayer in our newsletter so that anyone who was unable to join us, could still take a moment to pray for the pupils walking and raising funds for others.
We will speak out against global injustices (e.g. global food system, debt, climate) by taking part in current CAFOD campaign actions to stand in solidarity with our global (overseas) community.
(Living in Solidarity)
CST principles – Participation, Human Dignity, The Common Good, Solidarity, Stewardship.
We used the resources CAFOD provide for the campaign action to learn more about how our voices can make a difference to the outside world when we work together.
We made cross curricular links to our topics.
We support a charity called GLO in Kenya via our parish and explain the link between the campaign action we take and how it helps similar communities to our friends in Kenya.
We will take part in International Day of Peace.
Included within our actions for this day, pupils will write prayers for our global family impacted by war and conflict.
(Living Simply)
Matt 5:9
Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called children of God.”
We understand the part we play in bringing peace to our world and the ripple effect to others.
Prayers for Peace
Pupils will write prayers and we will invite parents/parishioners and the local community to share time with us in prayer in our school (e.g. in a prayer garden or a special part of the school grounds/building).
(Living Simply)
CST Participation, The Common Good, Human Dignity
Inspired by Laudato Si’ pupils will organise a litter pick in the community to protect wildlife and keep the local area tidy. Where possible, litter picked will be recycled appropriately.
(You may wish to start your litter pick with a prayer.)
(Living Sustainably)
CST – Stewardship
We all can make a difference in caring for our common home.
Our Eco Angels did a litter pick in our local area with community group, Bury Litter Pickers.
We then weighed in our collections and learnt about recycling.
We support our local foodbank.
Our GIFT team visited the local foodbank to learn more about the work they do and how our action can help. Pupils will be involved with organising, promoting, and checking the donations.
They then shared this information we organised a collection for the foodbank.
In addition we learn how to grow and donate our own food supplies in our school allotment to local food kitchens-start making a difference locally. This helps support people but we also learn how it is more sustainable to grow our own produce and we learn about farm to fork initiative to care for our common home.
(Living in Solidarity)
Matthew 25:35-40
For when I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…I tell you the truth whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”.
CST – Solidarity, Human dignity, preferential option for the poor.
- Christmas – Helping Hands (Parish)
- Lent – Red Door – Gift Team / Bury / Mini Vinnies
- Beat the Street / Apple Pressing Workshop
We will create/develop a prayer garden/outdoor spiritual space involving all pupils in some way (e.g. design, creation, prayer stones, planting bulbs, scattering seeds, creating prayers, leading worship).
(Living Simply)
Stewardship
Participation
We created a community space in nature alongside our local residents at Diggle Lane Allotment and local developers, for prayer and reflection using our mission statement for inspiration.
We wanted a wildflower garden because we know this will support biodiversity.
Our ideas are valid and we have a voice.
Our special place enables us to spend more time in prayer and reflection which can also support good mental health.
Love, Learn, Grow
Genesis 2:15 The Lord of God took the man and out him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
Matthew 22:36-39 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Plans for improving the land beside the gate on Melrose Avenue
The Committee @ Diggle Lane Allotment have checked that the land is not privately owned.
They have an agreement for a grant from a local firm who will help with costs.
Wickes have a scheme to help local projects.
We have the support of a Development Officer from Bury who may be able to help with clearing the land.
A wildflower/spring bulb trail now leads from the school gate to the allotment gate.
Next steps
There is a working party day planned for allotment holders to work on the land.
Once the land has been cleared, the children can be involved in building and planting the garden.
Diggle Lane will provide some plants.
Our plot will host a petting farm(!) and there will be a small charge to come in. Proceeds will go towards the project.
It is anticipated that the main costs will be building a framework and getting enough topsoil-school will use their grant for this.
We will take part in a whole school “disconnect to reconnect” day, switching off electrical appliances and using minimal energy to lower our carbon footprint.
Pupils will be able to spend time connecting with nature and/or other people. Continuing after school with families encouraged to live sustainably by reducing power consumption, spending time together instead e.g. gardening, playing a simple game, or going for a walk/bike ride.
(Living Sustainably/Living Simply)
Inspired by Laudato Si’ we will help protect the environment by cutting our carbon footprint, encouraging walking/scooting/cycling to school and appreciating our environment (e.g. pupils to look for God’s creations on their journey and share what they have spotted).
(Living Sustainably)
