Catholic Social Teaching at NBS

NBS is proud to promote Catholic Social Teaching (CST), which is embedded in our ethos, culture, and curriculum to ensure that students understand their role in the community and the broader world and the positive impact of their actions.  It helps the school understand the Church’s Mission and how they can make tangible connections to their education.  It adds value to a student’s education, supporting a holistic approach to developing the young person.

“Catholic social teaching is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world.” (CAFOD)

At NBS we focus on 7 strands of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) as it holds a significant and valuable place in the educational philosophy of Catholic schools.

1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person

All people are sacred, made in the image and likeness of God. People do not lose dignity because of disability, poverty, age, lack of success, or race. This emphasises people over things, being over having.

2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation (the Common Good)

The human person is both sacred and social. We realize our dignity and rights in relationship with others, in community. “We are one body; when one suffers, we all suffer.” We are called to respect all of God’s gifts of creation, to be good stewards of the earth and each other.

3. Rights and Responsibilities

People have a fundamental right to life, food, shelter, health care, education and employment. All people have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities to respect the rights of others in the wider society and to work for the common good.

4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation. We are called to look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor.

5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

People have a right to decent and productive work, fair wages, private property and economic initiative. The economy exists to serve people, not the other way around.

6. Solidarity

We are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic and ideological differences. We are called to work globally for justice.

7. Care for God’s Creation

The goods of the earth are gifts from God. We have a responsibility to care for these goods as stewards and trustees, not as mere consumers and users.

In summary, Catholic Social Teaching plays a vital role in this Catholic community by shaping students into socially conscious, compassionate, and morally responsible individuals equipped to impact their communities and society positively.  In addition, it aligns education with the Catholic principles of Peace, Justice, Truth and Love.  Through the NBS Pupil and Staff Profile, The Why?, The CST Roundels and our clear school Mission, Catholic Social Teaching plays an integral role in shaping young people to help build a better world.