First Southwark school receives Livesimply Award

St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School in Gillingham is the first school in Southwark Diocese to receive a Livesimply award. It has worked since November 2019 to move towards living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor. On 25 May it was judged to have met the criteria for the award.

An impressive welcome board at the school entrance, featuring a tree and wildlife, demonstrates that care of God's creation is a feature of the school. In fact, impressive wall displays around the school celebrate the green papal encyclical Laudato Si', linking environmental work with the Church's Social Teaching and Creation spirituality.

The assessors - Ellen Teague (Columban JPIC) and Ruth Sinclair-Jones (CAFOD Volunteer) - met online with the school's key contact for the award, RE head Karen Tong. Her enthusiasm and dedication to pupils and to the award's values was inspiring, and there was staunch support from all staff, particularly the Executive Head, Clare Redmond, and caretaker 'Mr Jim' who helps the children learn how to compost and to grow vegetables. The assessors worked through the report presented by the school.

For living simply, the school now recycles paper across the whole school. All staff and pupils are educated as to what can be recycled and what will contaminate the waste. Assemblies and infant and junior prayer have focused on tackling a "throw-away society" approach, which Pope Francis laments. Each class has two "eco-warriors" to monitor this process. To reduce carbon emissions from transport, walking is encouraged and car sharing to school events, Masses and courses by families and staff.

On living sustainably, a huge effort has been made to enrich the school environment to encourage wildlife and increase biodiversity. This involves planting trees and wildflowers as well as letting grass grow to create a meadow. There are new vegetable patches, a composting area, a 'bug hotel', bird feeders and bat boxes. A prayer garden has been planted with daffodils and crocuses, providing a place for reflection and linking with appreciation of God's creation. Recently, more bee enticing plants were placed in the bee garden. The Feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October always sees a service for the infants on the environment.

The commitment to 'Solidarity with the poor' has involved regular support for a food bank linked to The Trussell Trust and Caring Hands. Both the school and local parish have assembled items from a list which can then be shared with families in need. There are links with the SVP and with the UCM and the Knights of St Columba to support Mary's Meals. Links with the local parish are strong, although opportunities have been more limited during Covid. Regular use is made of CAFOD website materials for children's liturgies and any Lent projects for schools. A Refugee 'Stations of the Cross' was particularly memorable. Children have also engaged with the local MP on the issues of homelessness and the environment.

The Livesimply programme is regarded as a "whole school" effort. It was impressive to see how much was being achieved despite pandemic restrictions. The school has been supportive of families facing hardship this past year, particularly because of job loss, and facilitated a food voucher scheme. Local parishioners donated laptops to families where children needed them for home learning.

The school was told by the assessors it was a 'beacon' school for Southwark and the wider Church, and that it should be proud of all it has achieved. Future plans involve getting a new eco-boiler installed over the summer holidays, paid for by Southwark Diocese, and arranging community litter picks.

St Thomas of Canterbury's award came on the day the Vatican launched its Laudato Si' Action Plan, which included a call for Catholic schools globally to give significant attention to social justice and care of God's creation. This school has had a head start.

LINKS

CAFOD Livesimply award

St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School