Pupils and staff from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Dudley achieved the LiveSimply Award after taking action to demonstrate they are living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the world’s poorest communities.

Championed by overseas development charity CAFOD, the award was presented to pupils and staff on 24th May 2023.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Dudley implemented a number of exceptional projects that highlighted the importance of caring for people and the planet.

Their actions had a positive impact on their school community and also reached out to embrace the local community and our global community too.  

The whole school has been part of achieving the award, from: growing food in the Bible Garden and cooking the produce and sharing recipes, to our work with charities and especially visiting the local foodbank to take our school donations.

A Year 6 student commented on why they took part in the LiveSimply Award: "We felt it was important to take action as Pope Francis called us to do in his encyclical Laudato Si'."

Another student from Year 4 added: "We would encourage anyone thinking about taking part in the award to just do it!  It’s helped lots of us to become even closer to God- doing his work on earth."

Mrs Chapman, Principal at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Dudley who led the LiveSimply journey, said:    

"I am so very proud of the children who have been so involved and active in achieving this award.  The whole school family have a firm understanding of how our faith drives our actions to live simply, live in solidarity with the poor and how we have a responsibility to look after the wonderful earth that God gave us.

"I can also promise that this is not the end and we still have big plans to continue the good work already started."

Siobhan Farnell and Dympna Edwards, CAFOD LiveSimply Award Assessors were delighted to confirm St Joseph's Catholic Primary School has achieve the LiveSimply Award.

They said: “This school is a wonderful example of a living faith community, their actions have truly embraced living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the world’s poorest communities.

"Their inspired actions have and will continue to make a real difference to the lives of others in their school, local community, and our global neighbours. We wish the pupils and staff all the very best as they continue their journey”.

Caring for Creation in the Archdiocese