Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) serves as the ethical and moral foundation for the Catholic Church's commitment to social justice and the common good. Rooted in Scripture and the teachings of Christ, CST is a framework that guides individuals and communities in addressing societal issues and promoting human dignity.
The seven principles of CST, including the dignity of the person, the call to community and participation, and options for the poor and vulnerable, inspire Catholics to actively engage in the world with a sense of compassion and solidarity.
Emphasising the importance of social responsibility, CST encourages pupils to integrate faith and action, fostering a deep understanding of their role as agents of positive change in the world. Through the teaching of CST, our pupils are challenged to recognise and respond to injustices, working towards a more just and compassionate society in line with the teachings of their faith.
Catholic Social Teaching Principles
Family and Community
Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12
Stewardship of God's Creation
Who turned the wonderworld of the seas into underwater cemeteries bereft of colour and life?
Dignity of the Human Person
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Jeremiah 1:5
Solidarity and the Common Good
In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of mine, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor person. You are handing over to them what is theirs. St Ambrose
Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers
All work has dignity because it reflects God's imagine in us.
Rights and Responsibilities
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Romans 13:1
Faith in Action 2024-25
At the beginning of the term, our 2024-25 Worship Reps gathered in the Library to discuss the ways that they can develop and enhance the Catholic life of the school and pupil participation in prayer and worship.
Our Worships Reps are a dedicated group of pupils from the First to Lower Sixth Form led by Ms Evans, Head of Religious Education. Over the next few weeks, they will be leading prayers and reflections during form time as well as creating a 'Form Worship' board in their form rooms to enhance Catholic worship within the group.
Being appointed as a Worship Rep is a highly rewarding opportunity and pupils serve a very important service to the school. Click here to look at what they've been working on.

Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers
A group of Upper Sixth form pupils from the Medical Society (MedSoc) raised funds over the summer for the The Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF).
The RMBF provide support for doctors and their families through all stages of their career and beyond. Their help ranges from financial assistance in grants and loans to a telephone befriending scheme for those who may be isolated and need support.
Grace T and Keira T, Upper Sixth commented: "As a Medical Society within school, we felt that bringing awareness to a charity that had such a substantial impact in the medical world was worth representing and volunteering for. So as a team we chose to hold a sale at a local church summer fundraiser where we sold homemade bracelets, candle holders and cupcakes as well as cooked up some homemade meals. It was a great success with our bracelets and meals being the most popular."
Overall, the CVMS MedSoc raised over £250 which has gone towards supporting doctors and medical students with grants as well as their supporting platform DocHealth who provide confidential, specialist-led support for doctors experiencing mental health issues. Congratulations to all our pupils who were involved.

Faith in Action 2023-24
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Every year at Cardinal Vaughan is full of moments that inspire. One that particularly stands out is Second Form pupil, Kaleb, who organised a fundraiser for the homeless. This is a resounding example of how Catholic Social Teaching encourages pupils to integrate faith and action, extending beyond School and to make a positive change in the world.
Kaleb and his siblings organised their own 5k sponsored walk for Crisis Homeless Charity on New Year’s Day 2024 in memory of their Parish Priest, Father Terry Murray, who sadly passed away before Christmas. In their efforts to help end homelessness, they have raised over £2,500.
Solidarity and the Common Good
At the Vaughan, we are proud to partner with Aid to the Church in Need. In November 2023 alone we raised £2,000 for their £100k4Africa, part of their #RedWednesday appeal.
In addition, we have a long-standing connection with the School of Joy in Bethlehem, a school for children with special educational needs.
In Michaelmas Term 2023, we raised £1,000 for the School of Joy. As a school community, we are so proud of the work we do collectively to help others in need.
We believe the Vaughan fosters a culture of service and responsibility which equips all pupils to make a positive difference. We are very fortunate to have a community rooted in philanthropy, without which this would not be possible.
Family and Community
We asked our Head Prefects to share the ways that we display faith in action, by helping those most in need.
Thank you, Head Girl and Head Boy, Keoni and Alistair, and our Deputy Head Prefects Oscar, Dorothy, Peter, and Francesca for demonstrating love and service in action to ensure that the school ethos is carried across all areas of school life.
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Each year, Cardinal Vaughan hosts its Senior Citizen Christmas Party, an event that honours senior residents from across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and local neighbouring boroughs. Over 120 senior citizens attended.
Cardinal Vaughan first launched the initiative in 1990 and over 30 years later, it is going from strength to strength. The school’s Big Band perform classic show tunes while the school’s Lower School choir serenaded guests with carols filling the hall with Christmas cheer.
Local resident John commented: “The music has really moved me, and it’s been a wonderful celebration and the pupils have really looked after us.” Another local resident agreed: “Cardinal Vaughan always provide us with a wonderful event every year, and everyone leaves feeling happy and very cared for. Thank you, it means the world to us.”
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Stewardship of God’s Creation
Over the years our Eco Club have worked tremendously hard and dedicated their time to earn Cardinal Vaughan an Eco-Schools Green Flag for their outstanding commitment to the environment.
Our Eco Club launched an appeal during Advent 2023 sharing ways that we can care for God’s creation and be more sustainable, particularly at Christmas.
Thank you to our Eco Club Ambassadors, Richard, Xavier, Pablo, and Kaleb for the informative and inspiring message.
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In May 2024, a committed group of Lower School pupils who are trying to learn more about air pollution and how it impacts climate change and our health interviewed Esther Lie and Dr Helena Rapp Wright from Imperial College London.
Esther and Dr Helena led an informative talk about their roles at Imperial College London, how they conduct research into air quality, and the ways air pollution affects us and our environment. Our pupils were then invited to ask questions in an engaging Q&A session. All of our pupils thoroughly enjoyed the talk, learnt something new, and left feeling motivated to speak to their peers about the effects of air pollution.
Our Third Form representatives, Nathan, Adriano, Dominik, Mathias, Ciaran, and Jeremiah spoke to our Faith in Action group about what they learnt and their ideas about the ways we can implement change as a school.
Dignity of the Human Person
Second Form pupil, Joesph, was one of 40 people who abseiled down Anfield Stadium to raise money for Syngap1 UK in May 2024. Joseph's cousin, Darcy, has a rare genetic condition called SYNGAP1 Syndrome. People with SYNGAP1 syndrome all have some form of learning difficulties, which range from mild to profound, around half will also have autism and at least 80% have epilepsy amongst other symptoms.
Joseph and other supporters of the cause have already raised £30,000 for Syngap1 UK. Funds go towards scientific research and to provide resources for children and adults affected by SYNGAP1 Syndrome.
Very well done to Joseph for showing bravery and selflessness in this resounding display of faith in action.
Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers
Third Form RE GCSE pupils discussed the Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers during their first topic of Creation. Pupils have an exploration of the work of CAFOD and how they support the UN sustainable development goals which include 'decent work and economic growth' and 'industry, innovation and infrastructure.' They explore CAFOD's long term and short term aid initiatives. Pupils explore CAFOD's partnership with Monlar in Sri Lanka which helps farmers use sustainable and profitable agricultural techniques.