Diocesan Virtues at St Edward's

At St Edward's we strive to actively promote values, virtues and ethics that shape our pupils' character and moral perspective, through the teachings of the Catholic Church. We are confident that our continued focus on the Diocesan Virtues will give our pupils the necessary awareness of what it means to be a good citizen in Britain today, and embed in them the building blocks of a future successful and productive life. Our whole school assemblies, phase assemblies, services and school Masses continually reiterate this. It is embedded throughout our curriculum and daily experiences.

Through our weekly Collective Worship, RE lessons, PSHE, and promoting The Beatitudes and Diocesan Virtues, we are able to make real links between the values of our pupils and the lives of others in their community, country and the world in general. Through our themed weeks (such as friendship week and e-safety week) we teach about responsibility, rules and laws, the monarchy, equality, values and virtues, environmental awareness and importantly, respect of other world faiths.

The Diocesan Virtues, which are used weekly as a virtue certificate, are detailed as follows:

Grateful and Generous

Our pupils are taught to be grateful for all that they have, all that they are and that is. They are taught that generosity is the root of good deeds. They are encouraged to be generous with their time, their talents and to use them to support others.

Attentive and Discerning

Our pupils are taught to be attentive to always listen to the word of God. The Bible shows us how to live a good life. They are taught that the views of others are important and should always be listened to. Our pupils are taught that everyone deserves to be heard. They are taught that to be discerning is to choose between right and wrong in the light of God’s word.

Compassionate and Loving

Our pupils are taught that compassion means always trying to be respectful and kind to one another even if just means a smile to someone. Every year we raise money for charity and we support those in need. Our pupils are taught to love one another as God loves us.

Faith-filled and Hopeful

Our pupils are taught about their faith from home. They begin on their journey of faith with the Sacrament of Baptism, through to Confirmation. Our pupils are taught that hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. The best not to feel hopeless is to get up and do something. We are taught that it is important not to wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope and you will fill yourself with hope.

Eloquent and Truthful

Our pupils are taught that it is important that are able to express their thoughts and beliefs and that they must be taught to explain and convince others with great articulation and eloquence. To understand that being truthful is being faithful to oneself and to Jesus.

Learned and Wise

Our pupils are taught that understanding the Word of God is the way for making the most important decisions in life. Through learning, observation and from the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, we can come to understand the truth.

Our pupils are taught that we are wise because we know that life is about the journey; not the goal. They know that they should treat everyone how they want to be treated They are wise because they follow the school mission; that everyone is special and unique.

Curious and Active

Our pupils are taught that from curiosity comes great learning. They are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and to be active in their engagement with the world and how it is changing and how they can make it a better place.

Intentional and Prophetic

They are taught that intentional acts are done deliberately. They have to think about the choices they make, the decisions they choose to take have a positive Impact on them and those around as well as the Earth’s resources. Our pupils are taught that they have a sense of belonging in the Church and in the World. They encourage people to come to their Church and support them to help in their faith to help them grow stronger.