Essex school wins LiveSimply Award

Bishop Williams with the school's LiveSimply team

St Thomas More High School, in Westcliffe-on-Sea, Essex, has been honoured with the prestigious LiveSimply Award, recognising its dedication to living simply, sustainably, and in solidarity with the wider community.

Inspired by LiveSimply Award's launch of the Laudato Si Invitation, Commitments, and Actions initiative on October 4, 2022, the school embraced the challenge of putting faith into action. Grounded in the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching, students and staff developed a nine-point plan aimed at creating a meaningful impact at school, locally, and globally.

Through this initiative, St Thomas More High School has:
- Engaged in outreach work with local primary schools and care homes
- Introduced guided meditation in the chapel
- Raised funds for CAFOD World Gifts
- A celebration of Earth Day
- Fairtrade sales at Open and Parent evenings
- Transitioned to an eco-friendly energy supplier
- Supported the SVP Food Bank in Southend through donations and volunteering
- Planted fruit trees and vegetables in the school garden
- Turned the school Christmas Tree into an Easter Cross
- Created an outdoor Stations of the Cross for prayer and Religious Education lessons

As a culmination of their hard work, Bishop Alan Williams personally presented the LiveSimply Award to the school's CAFOD student leaders: Mrs McKenna, who led the project, and Mrs Ackred, Headteacher of St Thomas More High School.

"We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their unwavering commitment to living out our faith in tangible ways. The LiveSimply Award is not just a recognition of our efforts but a call to continue making a difference in our community and beyond," said Mrs Ackred.

This achievement highlights St Thomas More High School's dedication to sustainability, compassion, and action in response to Pope Francis' call in Laudato Si'.

CAFOD's LiveSimply Coordinator for Schools, Siobhan Farnell, said: "Congratulations to the pupils and staff on achieving the LiveSimply award. Their actions are wonderful examples of caring for others and our common home and we wish them well as they continue to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with communities around the world experiencing poverty."

LINK

St Thomas More High School: www.st-thomasmore.southend.sch.uk