Dignity means ‘the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect’. Therefore, ‘Dignity’ in Catholic Social Teaching means that every human being should be treated equally. This is because everybody is made in God’s image and His likeness and therefore equal in the eyes of God.
‘So God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. … God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.’ Genesis 1:27
Every person is made in the image of God and has infinite worth. We celebrate each child’s unique gifts and ensure that all are treated with respect and love. We support The Passage Westminster, helping people experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives with dignity, and our Year 5 sleep-out in the school hall raises awareness of homelessness and supports The Passage’s winter appeal. We build intergenerational connections through our work with Grove Barns sheltered accommodation, Staines Community Centre and Gresham Junction Community Café. Our whole-school walk on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees reminds us that every person, whatever their journey, deserves welcome and respect. A buddy bench on the playground encourages friendship and inclusion, while celebration assemblies and our school newsletter share and value the achievements of every child. We mark awareness days such as Odd Socks Day and World Down Syndrome Day to affirm that everyone is unique and to promote understanding and acceptance. Through our Pupil Parliament, children take part in decision making across the school, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.