Social Justice
St Bede's Catholic College is a ministry of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. Our primary focus is to provide an excellent educational setting permeated by a Catholic worldview that desires to lead each young person to an encounter with Jesus.
At St Bede's Catholic College, Catholic faith formation and mission is led by the principal and supported in this role by the Ministry Coordinator. In turn, each member of staff is tasked with the duty of modelling and teaching the Catholic faith through words and example in ways applicable to their role.
Catholic faith formation, mission and social justice at St Bede's Catholic College is central to our cultural identity as a school. Our school strives to be distinctively and authentically Catholic, while engaging with our contemporary culture in a spirit of dialogue. This can be seen in at St Bede's Catholic College in the following ways:
People of prayer: Prayer is part of the school’s daily life in homeroom, assemblies, staff and student meetings, staff morning prayer, special occasions, times of grief and Religious Studies lessons.
Christlike values: Lessons, procedures, actions and attitudes demonstrate Christlike values such as: compassion, justice and hope. Each student is valued, and their unique human dignity is respected.
Visual identity: The Sacred spaces and symbolism throughout the school reminds us of our Catholic story.
Liturgy: We celebrate the key social justice moments of the year through liturgical celebration. For example, Ash Wednesday, ANZAC Day, Holy Week, St Bede's Feast Day, Reconciliation Week, House Feast Days.
Student Communities: The Student Committees undertake Social Justice initiatives in line with their focus.
Religious Studies: Lessons in Religious Studies provide excellent grounding in the Catholic faith tradition according to the CSO Curriculum and compliment the social justice program.
Social Justice: Awareness and action to create socially just and equitable conditions for all is promoted as a part of school life. Daily prayer in homeroom, invitations to be part of social justice action events, belonging to the St Vincent De Paul group (Vinnies), visiting nursing homes, preparing care packages for Seafarers etc. Students are encouraged to participate in action to show support for refugees and asylum seekers and caring for creation.
Fundraising: Students raise funds to promote social change through our annual Project Compassion Appeal (Caritas) throughout lent through a homeroom competition, Vinnies Winter and Christmas Appeals (homeroom hampers), Mission Month, Socktober (Catholic Mission) and St Bede's Feast Day market stalls for Mary Rice Centre – Kenya, and House Feast Days.