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Catholic Life & Mission, Gospel Virtues & Values

Rooted in the Gospel and inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, our vision is to form Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge, and a hunger for justice.

 

We believe every child is made in the image and likeness of God and called to flourish. That means providing an ambitious, knowledge-rich curriculum for all; creating a culture where diversity is celebrated and differences are normalised; and ensuring that disadvantaged pupils, children with SEND, and the marginalised are welcomed, supported, and challenged to reach their full God-given potential.

 

Through high expectations, adaptive teaching, inclusive pastoral care, and rich opportunities beyond the classroom, we prepare every pupil to thrive academically, grow spiritually, and contribute to the common good - locally, nationally, and globally.

Eight hundred years after the death of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Leo has proclaimed a Special Jubilee Year in the saint’s honor.
 

The Jubilee revives the historic “Pardon of Assisi,” offering the opportunity for a plenary indulgence.
 

The year will include major events in Assisi, including the first extended public veneration of St. Francis’ mortal remains. Church leaders say the Jubilee highlights St. Francis’ enduring message of mercy, peace, and harmony in a world marked by division and uncertainty:
St Francis of Assisi

We are delighted to share that we recently received a truly heart-warming letter from a school in the Philippines. Their message, filled with gratitude and a shared commitment to protecting our planet, inspired many thoughtful conversations within our Eco-Council. Motivated by this connection across the globe, our Eco-Council decided to take action closer to home. They have written an official letter to the Secretary of State for Energy, expressing our school community’s support for sustainable initiatives and encouraging continued investment in environmentally responsible policies. Thanks to the enthusiasm of Mrs Morris, and involvement of our pupils, staff, and families, we are proud to continue supporting this meaningful tree-planting initiative. It’s wonderful to see how international partnerships and shared environmental goals can spark real action. Together, we are helping to make a positive difference for our planet—one tree, one letter, and one inspired student at a time.

Today, we had the honour of welcoming Bishop Timothy Menezes into school. His Lordship enjoyed meeting the staff and the children, before planting an apple tree in the Mary Garden. Bishop Tim was delighted to visit school and meet everyone, before he celebrates Mass in church with us all on Sunday, for our Anniversary. 💙🙏💙

Our Mission 

 

Inspired by the teachings of Christ, our Mission is to build his kingdom here on earth, at our school of sanctuary, where everyone is welcome. 

 

Through Catholic Social Teaching and encompassing our Gospel Virtues, we want everyone to be empowered to turn concern into action, serving our community and beyond, knowing that everyone is made in the image & likeness of Christ. 

 

We aim, as Jesus did, to inspire the next generation of disciples, who will spread the Gospel and make the world a better place, by providing opportunities to become closer to Christ, every day. 

 “Families are the first place where the values of love and fraternity, togetherness and sharing, concern and care for others are lived out and handed on” (Pope Francis – Fratelli Tutti, §114).

The Christ in me, recognises the Christ in you!

 

This is evident as soon as you step through the doors and see that Christ is at the centre of our school. We all work hard to make sure that everyone is treated with care and respect, and everyone is made to feel special and helped to realise their God-given talents. Every member of our school community is welcomed and valued, Catholic and non-Catholics alike.

 

Our rich curriculum and ethos instil the Gospel values in our children, teaching them to be kind, caring, forgiving and respectful young people. Links are made between the teachings of Jesus and how we behave and treat others in our own lives.

 

We have daily acts of Liturgy & Prayer including hymn practices and prayer services, and our children also pray regularly throughout the day in their classrooms. Parents are invited to join us for special prayer services led by different classes.

 

The whole school attends Mass on Thursday mornings led by Fr Stefan. Children read, sing and pray together and make our Masses beautiful celebrations of the Eucharist.

Gospel values are the way in which we demonstrate the values which Jesus teaches us through the Gospels. "How we behave towards others." Virtues allow us not only to perform good acts, but to "give the best of yourself." Gospel values are things which we display, virtues are what we develop spiritually.

Gospel Virtues

As part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, we have embraced the Catholic Schools’ Pupil Profile, which teaches our children eight pairs of virtues that enable them to grow as individuals in God's image. 

The virtues are Grateful and generous , Attentive and discerning, Compassionate and loving, Faith-filled and hopeful , Eloquent and truthful , Learned and wise, Curious and active , and Intentional and prophetic.

 

Grateful for their gifts, for the gift of other people, and the blessings of each day; and generous with their gifts, now and in the future and being generous in the service of others.

 

Attentive to their experience and vocation; and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices through reflection, decision making, teaching, prayer and retreats; and through the practice and example of school leaders and staff.

 

Eloquent and truthful in what they say of themselves and the relations between people, and the world. They develop eloquent language which can be used to understand and articulate their emotions, beliefs, and questions.

 

They are encouraged by the example of their teachers to be truthful in how they represent themselves and speak about the world.

Compassionate towards others, near and far, especially the less fortunate, and loving by their just actions and forgiving words.

 

Faith-filled in their beliefs and hopeful for the future... by passing on the living and faith-filled tradition of Jesus Christ; by having persevering faith in the pupils, and by encouraging them to have faith and hope in themselves and others.

Curious about everything and active in their engagement with the world, changing what they can for the better. Children are curious about the universe and all human activity and take increasing responsibility for their own learning through the opportunities provided for them in the life of the school, the Church, and the wider community.

 

Mrs Finnegan meets His Holiness, Pope Francis, in Rome

Looking after Gods earth is so important! Did you know we can waste 10% of our energy by leaving items on over the week-end? We made a check list for Mr Cooper so he can make sure we've turned everything off. Thank you#EnergySparks.

Fr J and his assistant Millie came to see me this afternoon to celebrate all their learning! ❤️ Jonathon’s parents made his vestments for when he’s saying ‘Mass’ at home & Millie wants to be a Mini Vinnie! How fabulous!🙏❤️🙏

Developing Staff Formation through Catholic Social Teaching at Harvington Hall today! What a great man St Nicholas Owen was! The staff enjoyed a wonderful retreat at Harvington Hall! We started with Mass in the church & then a tour of the house & a talk about St Nicholas Owen. Absolutely fabulous day! Thank you to Monsignor John Moran for leading us in the celebration of the Eucharist this morning, as part of our Staff Retreat, and talking to us about the work of St Nicholas Owen!

Mini Vinnies turn their concern into action! 💕 We raised funds for the thousands of people in Syria & Turkey, who have died, with many more injured in the aftermath of the earthquakes.
 

All of the staff & the children wore their own clothes and donated £1 each & families donated cakes for the children to sell in school. All funds raised, will be sent to the aid relief to support the survivors and their families. 
 

Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to people hit by disaster. 🙏💕

Virtues and Values

As Catholics we believe in the importance of developing a virtuous life. The Catechism describes a virtue as 'an interior disposition, a positive habit, a passion that has been placed at the service of the good.'

   

Each half term the focus changes and schools across the Archdiocese focus upon the same set of virtues at the same time. The Profile also provides a thematic focus for Collective Worship and SMVSC over a specified length of time. Whilst all of the aspects of the profile are being touched upon the school can really emphasise and experience a particular pair of virtues throughout a half term.

Pupils at Our Lady & St Kenelm are growing to be:

 

 

Grateful for their own gifts, for the gift of other people, and for the blessings of each day; and generous with their gifts, becoming men and women for others.


 

Attentive to their experience and to their vocation; and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices.

 

Compassionate towards others, near and far, especially the less fortunate; and loving by their just actions and forgiving words.


 

Faith-filled in their beliefs and hopeful for the future.


 

Eloquent and truthful in what they say of themselves, the relations between people, and the world.


 

Learned, finding God in all things; and wise in the ways they use their learning for the common good.


 

Curious about everything; and active in their engagement with the world, changing what they can for the better.


 

Intentional in the way they live and use the resources of the earth, guided by conscience; and prophetic in the example they set to others.


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