Catholic Life and Mission
At St. Stephen’s, our mission statement is at the heart of everything we do, and it permeates all aspects of our school life; it is known and lived by all staff and pupils at St. Stephen’s.
Our school’s mission statement ‘Love one another, as I have loved you.’ John 13:34 ensures that pupils at St. Stephen’s have a strong understanding that our school community is committed to following the teaching and examples of Jesus. At St. Stephen’s, we have cultivated an embedded culture of welcome that celebrates the rich diversity of our school community and ensures that everyone feels valued and respected.
The mission of St Stephen’s is that we know, love and follow Jesus Christ by looking after each other and trying our best every day
Praying
Going to Mass
Being fully involved in our assemblies, Celebrations of the Word and class prayers
Working hard in our Religion lessons
Hearing the messages contained in the Gospels
Loving each other as He loved us
Praising and worshipping Him
Trying to follow His example
Welcoming and caring for everyone, no matter what their situation, background, race, gender, age, disability or religion
Helping those less fortunate than ourselves
Forgiving each other
Sharing His unconditional love
Practising His example and that of the saints and other holy people
Listening to each other
Saying sorry when we make a mistake
Being polite to each other
Being full of care and respect for each other
Taking on responsibilities for others
- Listening carefully to our teachers and staff in school
- Giving our best in every lesson
- Persevering, showing resilience and not giving up
- Coming to school on time every day
The Catholic life of our community is vibrant and deeply rooted in opportunities for our children to encounter God and nurture a personal relationship with Him as our loving and compassionate Father. Through both traditional and spontaneous prayer, regular liturgies, and dedicated Religious Education lessons, pupils receive direct teaching of the faith. The strong relationships shared among pupils, staff, and parents help foster a supportive environment where God’s presence is felt and His love is known.
Religious symbols such as crucifixes, icons, and statues are visible throughout our school, reminding us that our actions, learning, and relationships are founded on our Catholic identity. High-quality RE displays in classrooms and communal areas reflect the importance of faith in our school life. Each classroom features a dedicated prayer focus area, including a liturgical cloth in the colour of the Church season, creating a sacred space for reflection and worship.
Our Catholic and British values are seamlessly integrated, encouraging every child to grow in commitment and responsibility — to themselves, to others, and to the wider world. These values are lived out in daily school life, forming the moral compass of our community.
We are blessed with strong partnerships between school, home, and parish. Our parish priest plays an active role in our school life, and we work together as one Catholic family to strengthen the faith of our children in today’s world. As servants of God, we encourage all pupils to take part in charitable acts and outreach, learning that even small actions of kindness can have a meaningful impact on those in need.