At St. Bernadette’s Primary School, a Catholic Voluntary Academy, we base our actions and interactions with each upon Gospel values such as love, sharing, kindness and forgiveness.  We have our own school ‘Beatitudes’ which dictate our conduct.

We believe Religious Education to be ‘the core of the core curriculum.’ We believe Religious Education is central to the educative mission of the Church.

Bishop Marcus Stock is the Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Middlesbrough. He provides Catholic schools to help him as first educator of the Diocese in his mission of making Christ known to all people. The Bishop also provides Catholic schools to support parents who at their child’s baptism accepted the responsibility to raise their child in the Catholic faith.  Finally, the Bishop provides Catholic schools to be a service to their local church, parish and Christian home and to ensure the children and young people who attend Catholic schools give such service to the wider society. It is the mission of all Diocesan schools to contribute to the creation of a society that is highly educated, skilled and cultured making a contribution to the common good of society and its culture.

Whilst we seek to ensure our children and young people develop spiritually, Diocesan schools must educate the whole child, ensuring all our children also achieve their full academic potential.

 

Charism of our school

The word charism, in the tradition of the Church, refers to spiritual gifts used for the service of the whole community. These gifts or graces of the Holy Spirit are given to individuals and groups for the sake of others. 

A Catholic Christian school draws upon this rich heritage of spiritual gifts to formulate its own unique way of being and giving service to all. The central influence on the charism of any school is the person of Jesus Christ. All charisms seek to provide a pathway through which a school community might interpret and give voice to the centrality of Jesus Christ. 

Schools draw inspiration and direction from the stories of how their founding religious congregation, patron saint or significant people in the school’s history exemplified particular gifts of the Spirit in living out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
(The Religious Education Curriculum P-12 Archdiocese of Brisbane, 2020, p208). 

In responding to the needs of the community, we at St Bernadette’s Primary School, draw from the model and examples of St Bernadette. Our school’s charism is lived through using our gifts for others in service, welcome, compassion and education.

Our staff and students continually strive to make Jesus real and are reminded through the life of St Bernadette and our local saints St Bede, St Hilda, Blessed Nicholas Postgate and Margaret Clitherow to be the best that we can be and to make Jesus real in the lives of those around us.​

 

Catholic Social Teaching 

Catholic Social Teaching is based around the Church’s belief that we can all make a difference in making our world a better place for all. These teachings are rooted in Scripture and especially in the teachings of Jesus found in the Gospels. Christ shows us how to walk in his footsteps, bringing love and care to those both near and far. It is our vocation to live as Jesus and saints throughout the ages, bettering our world for everyone.

The Catholic Church has seven principles of social teaching that we will explore in school, just like our virtues. Throughout your child’s spiritual journey at St. Bernadette’s, we explore these principles through our curriculum, Mission Weeks, activities and through our everyday actions.

• Dignity of the human person
• Family and Community
• Solidarity and The Common Good
• Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• Stewardship of God’s Creation

Catholic Life CST 2026-27 Plan
EYFS	Common GOOD	Care for PEOPLE visit church every Thursday
Y1	Promoting Peace	Praying for peace
Y2	Preferential Option for poor	Cause / fundraising  SVP
Y3	Stewardship (Laudato Si) – creation and environment	Care for the Environment weekly allotment – growing vegetables –  Care for school chickens
Y4	Dignity (everyone is loved)	Care for the elderly VisitingNunthorpe Hall weekly
Y5	Solidarity (Global neighbours)	CAFOD or Missio – work on supporting our neighbours around the world (raising awareness) cafod.org.uk/demandchange
Y6	Subsidiarity	Our voices are heard. Debate/ letters to MPS etc   (raising awareness)

What is a charism of a Catholic school?

In the context of religious communities, a charism refers to a special gift, grace, or spiritual characteristic that is believed to be given by the Holy Spirit to a particular group or individual. It is a unique quality or focus that distinguishes the community or person and guides their mission and way of life.

The term “charism” is derived from the Greek word “charis,” which means “grace” or “favor.” Charisms are often associated with religious orders, congregations, or lay movements within the Catholic Church, but they can also be found in other Christian denominations and spiritual traditions.

Here are some key aspects of a charism:

• Inspiration and Origin: A charism is considered to be a divine gift, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. It is believed to emerge from the spiritual experiences, insights, or mission of a particular founder, saint, or group within the Church.
• Unique Focus: Each charism has a distinct focus or emphasis that reflects the spiritual gifts and calling of the community.
• Guiding Principles: A charism provides a set of guiding principles or values that shape the spirituality, lifestyle, and mission of the community. It influences their decision-making, community life, prayer practices, and relationships with others.
• Communal Identity: Charisms often form the basis of a community’s identity and unity. Members who share the same charism are bound together by a common purpose, spirituality, and mission. The charism helps define their sense of belonging and commitment to one another.
• Service and Mission: Charisms are usually expressed through acts of service, ministry, or mission. They guide the community in how they live out their faith and carry out their specific role in the Church and society. Charisms often have an outward focus, seeking to address the needs of others and contribute to the building of God’s kingdom.
• Discernment and Development: Charisms require discernment and ongoing nurturing. Communities and individuals need to discern the authenticity and relevance of a charism within the changing circumstances of the world. They may adapt and develop their charism while remaining faithful to its core values and principles.