Faith in Action
The Romero Award:
We are very proud to be one of the earliest schools to embark on the Romero Award Journey and have now been awarded both Participator and Developer Levels.
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Even without this recognition, our community is inspired by Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and we relish living this out. We express solidarity and participation, as we both join campaigns and educate our young people to call for Climate justice and debt cancellation, and raising awareness of injustice and persecution of Christians through RED Wednesday awareness.
We put into practice the Preferential Option for the Poor, as we fundraise for our charities and recognise the Dignity of all humans as we ‘walk with’ one another, seeking to understand and be compassionate.
Subsidiarity is highlighted though the impact of Student Voice and the Green Team focus on the Care for Creation, in our school and beyond.
Across all subjects, classroom displays and during assemblies links to CST principles are highlighted and celebrated.
Ultimately, our mission as a school community is to build God’s Kingdom, striving to live and go out in the world… ready to serve the Common Good. And with God’s grace, that is what we aspire to do.
St Vincent de Paul
Our Youth SVP group has grown to include members from across the school, they meet weekly to plan projects and fundraising activities.
Changemakers
We also encourage our students to be formed into faith-fuelled changemakers and make sure that they are invited to participate in at least one important campaign each year (e.g. Net Zero, Drop the Debt), we also support RED Wednesday, (initiative of Aid to the Church in Need), to raise awareness of faith-based persecution.
Parliament
Each year we work alongside the UK Youth Parliament. Our students have been local UKYP representatives here for a number of years, with regular hustings and elections. In addition, we annually revisit democracy during tutor time and invite all our students to vote on the issues they want the UK Youth Parliament to discuss.
Environment
Our Green Team, run by our Head of Geography, continues this ‘Faith into Action’ approach, as they respond to Pope Francis, and now Pope Leo’s call to take to up the ‘Christian Duty’ to care for our common home. Having secured the Eco-schools Award, they continue to develop new initiatives within the school and beyond. In the past, we have joined the mass Lobby of Parliament for Climate action and invited our local MP into school to hear our concerns.
Equality and Diversity
We have an enthusiastic group of EARAs (Equality and Rights Advocates) who are committed to the culture of welcome and inclusion for everyone in our community. They are a witness to upholding the dignity of all humans and exercise solidarity with some of the most vulnerable in our community.
One of the ‘superpowers’ of Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School is our great diversity. To take time to be grateful and celebrate this, we run a joyful and always- anticipated Celebrate Diversity Day in school. Incorporating artwork, dance, speeches, music and stalls, all our students are invited to come into school wearing clothes that reflect their ethnic heritage, or what matters most to them! During lunchtime we have a Challoner World Cup event and there is a stunning and joyful cultural runway, celebrating our connections to the wider global communities across the world!