Building the Kingdom: Dignity of Work
At Saint Mary’s, we believe that every person has been given unique gifts by God, and we are called to use those gifts to serve others. Our Building the Kingdom theme for Spring Term—Dignity of Work—encourages our school community to recognise the value of all types of work and to honour the efforts of those who use their talents to build a better world. Every role matters, and together we create something greater than ourselves.
Spiritual Foundation
Our theme is deeply rooted in Scripture, reminding us that our work should reflect integrity, service, and purpose. As Luke 3:10-14 teaches:
"Practise integrity in your work."
This message inspires our pupils to recognise the dignity in their efforts, to work honestly, and to understand how their contributions, no matter how big or small, help build the Kingdom of God on earth.
Whole-School Virtues
For the first half of the spring term, we focus on the Jesuit virtues of Grateful & Generous:
- Grateful – We give thanks for our own God-given gifts, for the people in our lives, and for the blessings of each day.
- Generous – We use our gifts willingly to serve others, becoming men and women for others.
These virtues help our pupils to grow in appreciation and self-awareness, encouraging them to celebrate their strengths and to share them joyfully in support of their school, home, and wider community.
Living Our Community Spirit
Our Dignity of Work theme inspires us to reflect not only on how we work, but on who we work for. This term, we will:
- Celebrate those who use their gifts to support and uplift others, recognising that all work contributes to the common good.
- Launch the Jubilee Year of Hope, a time for our school community to look ahead with faith and courage, trusting that the work we do today can shape a better tomorrow.
- Mark Refugee Week as part of our commitment as a School of Sanctuary, reflecting on how we can use our God-given gifts to welcome, support, and stand in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable.
- Explore the idea that working for justice, inclusion, and peace is a way of building God's Kingdom on earth, especially when we serve those who are marginalised.