At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that diversity and anti-racism are central to both our curriculum and our daily practices. We are dedicated to creating a community where every individual feels respected, valued and knows they truly belong.

We aim to ensure that every child, family and member of our community feels welcomed and empowered to thrive in an environment of love and care under God’s guidance. Together we are building a school where unity is cherished and diversity is celebrated.

 

  

 

The command to love our neighbour extends to all human beings irrespective of race, ethnicity, culture, or background; as Christ’s disciples, our love for one another will ensure that all members of our school and wider community are held to be equal and are treated with dignity and respect.

We aim to challenge bias, discrimination, stereotyping and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010, that can lead to racial justice or inequality and will work to embed anti-racist practice into all of our work, to create an equitable and inclusive community.

The promotion of human dignity is the foundation of Catholic Social Teaching and we aim to educate our young people as to what needs to be rejected as wrongful and unworthy, and celebrate our common humanity.

We aim to address the cumulative effects of past and present inequalities to eliminate disparities and enable all our pupils to flourish. We believe this can be achieved through the education of the whole person throughout the whole curriculum which is in line with our school mission statement:

 

St Mary’s school community follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, working together to develop the whole child in a spiritual, moral, academic, physical, social and emotional way, within a caring and supporting environment.

Mary Mother of God, Mother of All

As an expression of Christ’s love, we support a vibrant school with full equality that embraces diversity and allows for equitable opportunity for all; together we celebrate the diversity that enriches and unifies our community.

At St Mary’s, we are proud to celebrate our diverse school community and the rich tapestry of cultures that our children and families represent. Our latest display, titled ‘Mary Mother of God, Mother of All’, honours Mary both a significant figure in our Catholic faith and to our school.

Mary grew up in the small town of Nazareth, in Israel, over 2000 years ago. Like many from her hometown, Mary would have had olive or brown skin and dark hair. Since then, she has been revered around the world, as people have come to know and love her son, Jesus, as God the Saviour.

In creating this display, we encouraged our children to explore how Mary is depicted in various cultures. They produced their own interpretations of paintings from around the world and wrote heartfelt prayers to Mary in their home languages. This display reflects the many countries from which our school community originates, showcasing the love and respect we all share for Mary, our Mother. We invite you to take a look at the gallery of photos and appreciate the beauty of our collective expressions of faith and culture.

   

Celebrating Diversity Day: A Reflection on Our Catholic Mission

At our school, the recent celebration of Diversity Day highlighted the importance of recognising and valuing the rich cultural tapestry of our community. This event provided an opportunity for students to engage in activities that celebrated various cultures, fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect. The enjoyment expressed by students and staff alike underscored our commitment to promoting racial justice, equality, and diversity, which are central tenets of our Catholic Mission.

By embracing diversity, we not only enrich our educational experience but also align with our values of compassion and understanding. This celebration serves as a reminder of our responsibility to advocate for equality and to create a welcoming atmosphere for all. Through initiatives like Diversity Day, we strive to ensure that every individual feels valued and respected, reinforcing our dedication to building a just and equitable community.

Take a look at the pictures below which shows the beautiful, vibrant costumes which were witnessed on the day:

       

Below are just some of the comments from our children outlining what they felt about Diversity Day:

   

Promoting RJED in our School

 

We are dedicated to emedding diversity throughout our curriculum and school life by:

  • Highlighting inspirational black and ethnic minority role models during lessons and assemblies, ensuring children see themselves reflected in the achievements of others
  • Celebrating key events like Black History Month and Diversity/International Day to deepen children's understanding of different cultures and traditions
  • Using our RSE lessons alongside topics within Religious Education to teach respect, empathy, and the value of equality
  • Encouraging classroom discussions that explore themes of fairness, justice and inclusion in age appropriate ways.

 

Click on the links below for further information:

RJED POLICY

RJED ACTION PLAN

RJED INTENT IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT 

RJED PUPIL SURVEY (RESULTS TO FOLLOW)