Religious Education

Our school has decided to pursue the CAFOD Live Simply award. This is an opportunity for us to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us.” You can find out more about this by clicking on the image below.

Intro Lite English (youtube.com)

We hope to gain this award in recognition of our commitment to living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poorest communities. As part of Living Simply, our school aims to impact our global family, our local community and our school community as we reflect the teachings of Laudato Si’ and Catholic Social Teaching along our journey.

Loving God,
You made this beautiful world that we all share.
Help us to live simply,
and be thankful for all that you have given us.
Help us to look after our earth,
so that everyone may enjoy it.
Help us to share with others,
so that everyone has what they need.
Amen.

CAFOD stands for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. Find out more about CAFOD’s LiveSimply award for schools here:

An introduction to LiveSimply for schools | CAFOD (youtube.com)

This animation helps explain why LiveSimply is important, and the impact it can have on our school, our neighbours and our global community.

RE Long-Term Plan

pdf
RE Long-Term Plan 2024-25.pdf pdf145.7 KbSep 24th, 2024

RE Curriculum

At St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, we use Birmingham Diocese’s curriculum strategy called ‘Learning and Growing as the People of God.’ This is divided into several units for each year group which cover four main areas of study:

The Liturgical Seasons of the Church’s Year: Pupils find out about the significance of each season, its signs and symbols and the different liturgies celebrated in each season.
Scripture: Pupils study both Old Testament and New Testament.
The Sacraments: There is a strong Sacramental focus in each year group. Pupils are prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in Year 3 and Confirmation in Year 6.
Living as Christians: The children learn about what it is to live as Christians today, how the Church is organised from global to parish level and the opportunities which exist for them to participate in the life of the Church.

In each unit, there are additional planned opportunities to pray and time to reflect.

Pupils also study other faiths as part of their Religious Education curriculum. We along with the Catholic Church, believe this is important because learning about the religion and cultures of those who do not share the Catholic faith is one of the ways in which we embody the call ‘to love one’s neighbour’. This contributes to the common good by increasing mutual respect between those of different religions.

Catholic Social Teaching

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. God has a special plan for us, whoever we are. Our part is not just limited to spiritual acts. It involves every aspect of our lives, from the things we pray about, to how we live as a responsible global citizen.

At St Michael’s, we share Catholic Social Teaching with our children through all that we do: the curriculum, special events and our ordinary actions in school. It underpins the essence of our daily school life. As members of the Catholic Church, we are all called upon to preserve the dignity of all human beings, to care for creation, and to reach out to our sisters and brothers in need. Pope Francis emphasises that it is our duty to work together to bring about a more just and peaceful world: to put love into action. It is vital that our children can articulate the connection between Jesus’ teaching and doing good deeds.

We use CAFOD’s Catholic Social Teaching resources and their animal mascots to support the children’s understanding of the key principles. The animal mascots are used in EYFS, KS1 and Lower KS2. The keys are introduced in Upper KS2.

Please see below an explanation of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching:

Human Dignity – Everyone is Special

St Paul tells us that each person is a work of art, created by God and chosen for a unique purpose. (Ephesians 2:10)

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

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

The Common Good – Taking Part in our Communities

You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor person. You are handing over to them what is theirs. (St Ambrose 340-397 AD)

At St Michael’s we show we are part of a community by:

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

Participation – The Dignity of Work

Do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honour. (James 3:17) You shall love your neighbour as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40)

At St Michael’s we recognise the dignity of work by:

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

Subsidiarity – All People Should Have a Say

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

At St Michael’s we acknowledge our rights and responsibilities by:

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

Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation and Gifts

Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience. (Pope Francis – Laudato Si)

At St Michael’s we show we care for creation by:

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

Solidarity – We Are One Big Family

Blessed Pope Paul VI taught us that if you want peace, work for justice. The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers.

At St Michael’s we show solidarity by:

raising awareness of social justice
praying for others
making connections
making socially responsible choices

Option For the Poor – Some People Need Extra Help

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. (Matthew 25:35-40)

At St Michael’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

Distributive Justice – Being Fair

The earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone. (Pope Francis, Laudato Si’)

At St Michael’s we recognise the need to share the world’s resources fairly by:

celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight
by sharing our belongings

Promoting Peace – We Can Be God’s Instruments of Peace

Our common bonds of humanity demand that we live in harmony and that we promote what is good for one another. These ethical implications are the reason why solidarity is a basic key to peace. (St John Paul II)

At St Michael’s we show we are people of peace by:

treating each other kindly
turning away from conflict
creating bonds between people

Catholic Social Teaching – CAFOD Video

Please click on the link below for a video introducing young people to Catholic Social Teaching:

Catholic Social Teaching in 3 minutes | CAFOD – YouTube

RE Drivers

School Prayer Book

Values and Virtues

At St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, pupils are taught the importance of developing a virtuous life. The Catechism describes a virtue as “an interior disposition, a positive habit, a passion that has been placed at the service of the good.” Cardinal Vincent Nichols explained, “It’s those habits of mind and action which genuinely serve the common good.”

The values and virtues we teach and practise at St Michael’s are as follows:

Grateful and Generous

Attentive and Discerning

Compassionate and Loving

Fath-filled and Hopeful

Eloquent and Truthful

Learned and Wise

Curious and Active

Intentional and Prophetic

Every half term, our school focuses on one pair of these complementary values and virtues. Pupils spend time reflecting on the meaning of them; how they see them in action in their lives and in the lives of others and how they can work to encapsulate these values and virtues in their lives.