Catholic Life and Mission
We encourage children to ask questions about the teachings of the church in order to further their understanding; have the freedom to explore and deepen their respect for other world religions; provide opportunities for children to encounter Jesus in their everyday lives; and explore scripture and its meaning in today’s world whilst still being reverent to, and embracing the awe and wonder of God.
Mission Statement
It is our primary aim at St. Mary’s Catholic Academy that every member of the school community feels valued and respected, and that each person is treated fairly and well. Our mission statement states that we should try …
“To walk hand in hand with God, loving him, loving each other and loving ourselves, doing our best with the gifts he gave us to make the world a richer place.”
We are a caring Catholic community, whose values are built on mutual trust, respect for all and the Christian virtue of love for thy neighbour.
School Values and Virtues
Our school values are:
- Commitment
- Kindness
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Appreciation
- Courage
- Honesty
Our virtues are:
- Love
- Faith
- Hope
- Justice
- Temperance
- Solidarity
- Courage
The Briars Residential
Each year, Year 6 have the wonderful opportunity to visit the Briars for a 3 Day Retreat. The ‘Agents of Love’ programme enables our young people to explore what it means to be in service to God, each other and the world. Through learning and practicing virtues they also work on the CST principles of solidarity and social justice.
Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope
During this Jubilee year, Pope Francis calls on us all to be beacons of hope in the world. This sacred time holds special meaning for children and young people, offering a chance to create lasting memories. Inspired by Jesus’ message of justice, freedom, and love, our whole school community is invited to embrace the joy of taking meaningful action as Pilgrims of Hope, working together to build a brighter future.
Bishop’s Mission – Living Bishop Patrick’s Vision: A Journey of Faith, Hope and Action
At St Mary’s Catholic Academy, we are proud to be part of Bishop Patrick’s vision for the Diocese of Nottingham—a vision that invites us all to grow in faith and become a more outward-looking, mission-focused community.
In his Pastoral Letter (4th November 2018), Bishop Patrick shared a powerful message of transformation for our Diocese, centred on three spiritual themes:
Encounter
We believe that every person, regardless of background or belief, is deeply loved by God. At St Mary’s, we create opportunities for children, families, and staff to experience a personal encounter with Christ. Through prayer, reflection, and Eucharistic Adoration, we nurture a sense of peace, purpose, and belonging.
Discipleship
Encounter leads to discipleship—a call to follow Jesus more closely in our daily lives. We encourage our pupils to live with kindness, courage, and compassion, serving others and growing in their understanding of faith.
Missionary Discipleship
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to be missionary disciples – joyful and hope-filled people who share God’s love through action. At St Mary’s, we celebrate the diversity of our school community and work together to support those in need, both locally and globally.
“The service to which Christ calls us is always the action of the Holy Spirit working in us.” Bishop Patrick
Our Spiritual Journey Through the School Year
We will explore Bishop Patrick’s themes throughout the academic year:
- Advent & Christmas – Encounter
- Lent (Spring Term) – Discipleship
- Easter to Pentecost (Summer Term) – Missionary Discipleship
These themes will be woven into our curriculum, assemblies, and prayer life, helping children to reflect on their own faith journey and the ways they can make a positive difference in the world.
We invite all families to talk with their children about these themes and how we are bringing Bishop Patrick’s vision to life at St Mary’s Catholic Academy.
Together, we walk forward in faith, hope, and love.
