Statement of Intent: The Catholic Life and Mission of Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

At Holy Cross, we are deeply committed to ensuring that the Catholic life and mission of our school is at the heart of all we do. Guided by our mission statement, "A family living, loving, and learning together through the light of Christ," we strive to create a vibrant, faith-filled environment where every pupil, staff member and family can grow in their relationship with God, one another and the wider world. Our school is a community that reflects the love of Christ in all areas of school life, fostering both spiritual growth and academic excellence.

Pupils' Contribution to and Benefit from the Catholic Life and Mission of the School

We believe that every child has a unique role in contributing to and benefiting from the Catholic life of our school. At Holy Cross, we actively encourage pupils to live out their faith in meaningful ways, both in school and beyond through:

1. Active Participation in Prayer and Worship:
   • Pupils are regularly engaged in daily prayer, liturgies and Masses that reflect the liturgical calendar and key moments in the life of the Church. We encourage children to lead prayers, organise and lead Religious assemblies and celebrations and participate in scripture readings, fostering ownership of their faith.
2. Living the Gospel Values:
   • Our pupils are inspired to live out the values of compassion, forgiveness, service and respect, modelled by Jesus Christ. Through Catholic Social Teaching initiatives, pupils are actively involved in charitable work, community service and projects that serve the common good, ensuring they contribute to the wider mission of the Church.
3. Sacramental Preparation and Spiritual Formation:
   • We place great importance on sacramental preparation, particularly for First Holy Communion and Reconciliation. Pupils are supported on their faith journeys through catechesis, personal reflection and opportunities for prayer, ensuring they experience a profound sense of God’s love and mercy.

Quality of Provision for the Catholic Life and Mission of the School

At Holy Cross, we are committed to ensuring that the Catholic life and mission is woven into the very fabric of our curriculum and daily routines. Our provision is characterised by the following:

1. A Christ-Centered Curriculum:
   • Our curriculum is designed to integrate Gospel values across all subject areas, ensuring that pupils receive a holistic education that nurtures their spiritual, moral and intellectual development. Religious Education is at the core of our teaching, promoting deep understanding of the Catholic faith and its relevance to daily life.
2. Prayer and Worship as Central to School Life:
   • We provide a wide range of opportunities for prayer and liturgy, ensuring pupils and staff regularly participate in Eucharistic celebrations, liturgies, prayer services and opportunities for private reflection. Our well-planned liturgical calendar aligns with the Church’s seasons and ensures our community celebrates important feasts, saints’ days and holy days of obligation.
3. Catholic Social Teaching in Action:
   • We strive to ensure that Catholic Social Teaching underpins all that we do. Pupils are encouraged to care for God’s creation, respect the dignity of every person and work for the common good. They are empowered to put their faith into action through initiatives such as fundraising for CAFOD, local charities and active involvement in environmental stewardship projects.
4. Pastoral Care and Well-being:
   • Our commitment to the Catholic life of the school is expressed through our exemplary pastoral care. Every member of the school community is valued as a unique person made in the image and likeness of God. We provide emotional and spiritual support to pupils, staff and families, ensuring that everyone in our school family feels loved, respected and supported.

Leaders and Governors Promoting, Monitoring, and Evaluating the Catholic Life and Mission of the School

The leaders and governors at Holy Cross are fully dedicated to promoting, monitoring and evaluating the provision for the Catholic life of the school. They ensure that the school’s mission statement and Catholic ethos are lived out authentically in every aspect of school life:

1. Visionary Leadership and Commitment to Faith:
   • Our leaders and governors are passionate about the Catholic mission of the school. They are fully committed to ensuring that Christ’s presence is at the centre of all decisions, policies and practices. They provide strong leadership in promoting the school’s ethos and ensuring that staff, pupils and families fully understand and embrace the Catholic identity of the school.
2. Rigorous Monitoring and Evaluation:
   • Leaders and governors actively engage in monitoring the Catholic life of the school through self-evaluation, reflective practice and regular review of religious education, prayer life and pastoral care. This includes gathering the views of pupils, staff, parents and parish partners to ensure the school continues to develop its Catholic character and mission.
3. Professional Development and Formation:
   • Leaders ensure that staff receive regular professional development in Catholic theology, liturgical formation and spiritual development. This allows teachers and staff to confidently promote and deepen the Catholic life of the school and reflect the school’s mission in their daily work.
4. Collaborative Leadership with the Parish and Archdiocese:
   • Our leaders and governors work closely with the parish and archdiocese, ensuring that the school is fully aligned with the Archbishop’s vision for Catholic education. This partnership strengthens the school’s faith community and ensures that we are fully integrated into the life of the local and universal Church.

Conclusion

At Holy Cross, we are dedicated to ensuring that our pupils live, love and learn together through the light of Christ. By promoting the Catholic life and mission of the school, we seek to inspire pupils to grow as faith-filled individuals who actively contribute to the Church’s mission and flourish in their spiritual and academic lives. Leaders and governors remain committed to providing the highest quality of provision, constantly monitoring and evaluating the impact of our faith-filled environment to ensure we remain a strong, Christ-centred community.