From growing our own fruit and vegetables to supporting wildlife habitats on site, our pupils and staff have gone above and beyond to achieve the CAFOD LiveSimply Award.
The CAFOD LiveSimply Award recognises Catholic communities who choose to live sustainably, stand in solidarity with our global family, and care for our common home.
Learn more at CAFOD’s LiveSimply Award.
LiveSimply Award Achieved – St. Gregory’s Primary School in South Shields has achieved the CAFOD LiveSimply Award through a wide range of sustainability initiatives, social justice learning and community action. From creating a pond filled with frogs, newts and snails, to growing fruit and vegetables on site, our children have shown that small actions can make a big difference.
The initiative has been led by Headteacher Emma Shaughnessy and our RE lead, Mrs Campbell, with invaluable support from Mr Vasey, our caretaker and volunteer gardener.
Pupils played a central role, including members of the Mini Vinnies and the Laudato Si’ gardening group.
Our LiveSimply Projects
To meet (and exceed) the award criteria, we embedded LiveSimply and Catholic Social Teaching into everyday life through projects across three strands: Global, Local and School-Led.
Global Projects
- Fair Trade Fortnight tuck shop: run by the Mini Vinnies to promote ethical choices.
- Debt awareness workshops: helping pupils understand global economic justice.
- Food miles learning: linking what we eat with sustainability and solidarity.
Local Projects
- Partnership with St Gregory’s Parish: strengthening community and shared mission.
- Support for the local food bank: practical action for those in need.
- Care home links: building relationships and showing compassion across generations.
School-Led Projects
- Sustainable gardening: growing fruit and vegetables, sharing produce with families.
- Wildlife conservation: a pond habitat (frogs, newts, snails) and planting for pollinators.
- Laudato Si’ in action: pupil leadership through the Laudato Si’ gardening group.
St. Gregory’s ethos of Live Simply is now firmly embedded in all aspects of school life — a proud milestone for our whole community.
