
CATHOLIC LIFE

Catholic Life, our Values and Virtues

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School we have a rich and diverse Catholic Life; we believe our faith permeates all we do for and with our children. Prayer, Sacramental studies, the lives of the Saints, SMSVC and Collective Worship are all active elements of Catholic Life.
St Mary’s has adopted the Archdiocese of Birmingham's Catholic Schools Pupil Profile. We work together across all phases of the school to look at the values that come from the Gospel and teachings of Jesus. These values are taken from the Jesuit Institute which is rooted in the teachings of St Ignatius. They have created a Pupil Profile in which eight pairs of complementary words have been placed together. The Archdiocese of Birmingham have been allowed to use the Jesuit material and have renamed it the Catholic Schools Pupil Profile.
Each half term the whole school focus’ on one pair of words; we will spend time reflecting on the meaning of the words; how we see these values in action in our lives and in the lives of others and how we can work to encapsulate these values in our lives. All classes will discuss the meaning of these words at an age appropriate level; during whole school and class collective worship we will consider what they mean and will take time, quietly and peacefully, together so that we can listen carefully and reflect.
“Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your hope and faith are in God.” Peter 1:21
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Virtues & Values
Grateful and Generous
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Grateful for our own gifts, for the gift of other people and for the
blessings of each day
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Generous with our gifts, becoming men and women for others.
Attentive and Discerning
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Attentive to our experiences and to our vocation
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Once we develop the habit of being attentive, we can begin to discern what is good for us and what is not; and what God calls us to be, and to do.
Compassionate and Loving
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Compassionate towards others, near and far, especially the less fortunate; and loving by their just actions and forgiving words:
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What did Jesus say was the most important of the Ten Commandments?
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What did Jesus do or say to show God Our Father was Compassionate and Loving?
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How can you show Compassion and Love?
Faith-Filled and Hopeful
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Faith-filled in their beliefs and hopeful for the future.
Eloquent and Truthful
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Eloquent and Truthful in what they say of themselves, the relations between people and the world.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
"He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” Luke 13:18-19



Curious and Active
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Curious about everything; and active in their engagement with the world, changing what they can for the better.
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Be curious, ask questions and look for God in all things.
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Be active in the life of the school, the church and the wider community.
Intentional and Prophetic
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Intentional in the way we live and use the resources of the earth, guided by morality; and prophetic in the example we set to others.
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Being intentional in the way of advancing and building a better quality of life; and which is prophetic in the way it offers a Christ-centered vision of education and of our lives rooted in the gospel. Activity can easily become the distraction of being busy. Using wisdom and discernment, we can live our lives more intentionally – getting the balance right; living in the present moment rather than in the unchangeable past or an unknown future.
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Living in this way is to be prophetic – announcing the new perspective of the gospel on what it means to be human. Jesus is an example of someone who lived his life intentionally and prophetically.
Grateful and Generous
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Children in our school are growing to be: Grateful for their own gifts, for the gift of other people, and for the blessings of each day; and generous with their gifts, now and in the future.
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Encouraging them to know and be grateful for all their gifts, developing them to the full so that they can be generous in the service of others.
Learned and Wise
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Learned, finding God in all things; and wise in the ways they use their learning for the common good.
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By the breadth and depth of the curriculum; by excellence of teaching, and the creation of opportunities to become more learned and wise.