Creating a Culture of Encounter

School Development Plan Focus

To continue to actively promote a whole-school culture in relation to racial equality in which commonalities are identified and celebrated, difference is valued and nurtured and pupils are encouraged to be agents for change.

As part of our commitment to making St Catherine’s an actively anti-racist school, we have formed a Racial Equality, Diversity & Justice Working Party, formed of parents, staff and governors. One action from this Working Party was to celebrate the Independence Days of countries which form the ethnic background of pupils within our school community.

We have been further inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical, Fratelli Tutti:

‘The different cultures that have flourished over the centuries need to be preserved, lest our world be impoverished… That is why “we need to communicate with each other, to discover the gifts of each person, to promote that which unites us, and to regard our differences as an opportunity to grow in mutual respect. Patience and trust are called for in such dialogue, permitting individuals, families and communities to hand on the values of their own culture and welcome the good that comes from others’ experiences”.[117]‘

At St Cath’s 53% of our pupils are from non-White British families. 33% of our children speak English as an Additional language and 25 different ‘Mother Languages’ are spoken at home! We are blessed to have such a rich, diverse school community. Throughout the year, we learn about the heritage of every child. It is amazing to find out about different countries, their culture and celebrate their unique features. Pupils and parents are invited to contribute to the information presented, as well as sharing artefacts, clothes, pictures and even food from their heritage.

Below are our Powerpoints celebrating St Cath’s rich and diverse community.