🌍 Our School Values – Faith in Action

At St Mary’s, our values are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and lived out through our daily actions. Each half term, we focus on a different value in our worship and assemblies, celebrating children who truly live these out in their words and actions.

These values are not only for Catholics—they are for all of us. They guide us to be the very best people we can be: using our hearts, our voices and our actions to make the world a better place.

They are also closely linked to the Beatitudes, which teach us how to live with love, humility and justice, and to British values, promoting respect, responsibility, individual liberty and working together in a caring community.

💛 Our Core Values

❤️ Human Dignity – Be Loving

We believe every person is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with love and respect.
Inspired by Pope Francis, we are called to show kindness and compassion to all.

• Beatitudes: Blessed are the merciful
• British Values: Mutual respect, tolerance

🌿 Stewardship – Be Caring

We care for God’s world and everything in it.
Inspired by St Francis of Assisi, we look after our environment and each other.

• Beatitudes: Blessed are the meek
• British Values: Responsibility, respect for others

🕊️ Promoting Peace – Be Forgiving

We choose peace, forgiveness and understanding.
Inspired by Carlo Acutis, we use kindness to resolve conflict.

• Beatitudes: Blessed are the peacemakers
• British Values: Rule of law, respect

🤝 Preferential Option for the Poor – Be Generous

We care especially for those in need and act with generosity.
Inspired by Mother Teresa, we give what we can to help others.

• Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit
• British Values: Individual responsibility, compassion

🌎 Solidarity – Be United

We stand together as one human family, supporting one another and speaking out for justice.
Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., we know that together we are stronger.

• Beatitudes: Blessed are those who hunger for justice
• British Values: Democracy, mutual respect

🔥 Participation – Be Brave

We use our voices and take action to make a difference.
Inspired by Óscar Romero, we stand up for what is right.

• Beatitudes: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness
• British Values: Individual liberty, democracy

🌟 Living Our Values

• Each week, we celebrate children who live out our focus value through our Faith in Action Award. These children show us what it truly means to live with kindness, courage and purpose.

First Holy Communion

During Year 3 and 4, our children are given the opportunity to make the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. This is a major part in the life of a Catholic. Though no one can replace the role of the parent in preparing your child for this special moment, you are not alone in this task.

The parish and school will always be ready to help and support. Our school, in its Religious Education lessons, will teach your child about Jesus, the Church, the Sacraments and especially about Reconciliation and Holy Communion.

St. Mary’s school and our parish community work very closely together to prepare the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the First Holy Communion celebration, and parishioners will provide you and your family, along with other families, opportunities to participate in its life and to get to know your fellow parishioners better.

You will know that your child is ready to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation when in their own way they:
* know that God loves them and is always ready to forgive no matter what;
* know and understand what is meant by sin;
* are able to reflect on their own behaviour;
* they want to express sorrow and to make amends;
* and appreciate the place and importance of Reconciliation.

You will know that your child is ready to make their First Communion when in their own way they:
* know about Jesus, they pray to him and want to receive Communion with him and his church;
* show reverence and respect;
* know the difference between Holy Communion and ordinary food;
* be attentive and aware of what is happening during Mass;
* have some sense of belonging to the parish family.