Catholic Life and Mission

In St Joseph's, Christ is at the heart of all we do. St Joseph’s is a child-centred school where children are given the opportunity, voice and responsibility to help shape the ethos of our community.  Throughout their time at this school, they are supported to become reflective and to work out what it means to live a Christ-centred life and put the school’s mission statement into practice. In St Joseph's, our children are valued and each person is celebrated for being unique. 

At St Joseph's, we are committed to upholding the rich traditions and values of the Catholic faith. Our curriculum integrates religious teachings seamlessly into daily lessons, providing children with a holistic understanding of their faith and its relevance in their lives. Through prayer, scripture, and participation in sacramental activities, we empower our pupils to deepen their relationship with God and embrace the teachings of Jesus.

There are many topics, discussions and question times for children to explore who they are and their place in the world.  They are keen to express their ideas about their backgrounds and culture to other children and are inquisitive when listening to others.  In proportion to their years, they show a capacity for community praise and celebration, and the ability to listen, to give thanks, to forgive and be forgiven. They take the lead in responding to Catholic social teaching and strive to serve those in need. 

During lessons and when interacting socially, children are happy to share their views, ask questions and make links between the teachings of the Bible and their own daily lives.  They value and respect the Catholic tradition of our school and its links with the parish communities. Their behaviour is excellent and most children naturally think of others. The school council are involved in implementing procedures to foster good relationships, for example, the behaviour policy and guidelines. 

When mistakes are made the pupils are encouraged to be reflective, accept responsibility and aim to live more like Christ. They are alert to the needs of others and seek justice for all within and beyond the school community.  When other children succeed their peers share their joy.  In St. Joseph's, we celebrate each other's achievements and successes. All children participate in our distinctive Catholic community through whole school liturgies, Masses and prayer and liturgy.  

Beyond the classroom, our school community is diverse and full of faith-filled experiences and service-oriented initiatives. Children are encouraged to live out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching by engaging in acts of kindness, charity, and solidarity with those in need. Whether it's through fundraising for local and global charities or participating in outreach programmes, our pupils learn the importance of compassion, empathy, social responsibility and justice.
 

At St Joseph's, we celebrate the diversity of our community: a community where everyone is welcome. Together, we create a supportive and inclusive environment where every child feels safe, happy,  valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Prayer Book and Rosary

When our children enter the Juniors and are preparing for their First Holy Communion, we support them in this by giving them a copy of our own prayer book and some Rosary Beads.

Useful Web Links

http://www.wednesdayword.org   The official Wednesday Word website

http://directory.rcsouthwark.co.uk/rotherhithe_stpandga.html   St Peter and the Guardian Angels Website

https://stgertrudesbermondsey.wordpress.com   St Gertrude's Website

https://rcaoseducation.org.uk/  Southwark Diocese's Education Site

http://www.missio.org.uk   Missio is the Catholic Church's official charity for overseas mission

https://missiontogether.org.uk  Mission Together is the Pope's official children's charity for overseas mission

https://cafod.org.uk  CAFOD stands for the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development