Justice & Responsibility
At St Michael’s, our theologically rooted Christian vision plays a pivotal role in fostering an active culture of justice and responsibility. It is not just a statement but a call to action, inspiring us to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Through this culture, we cultivate a spirit of justice and encourage courageous advocacy, empowering our pupils to make ethical choices and become agents of positive change within our community. Our partnerships, stemming from our Christian vision, are crucial as they positively impact and reciprocally enhance the lives of all individuals involved.
our partnership with birmingham hospice
We have a strong partnership with Birmingham Hospice and we are proud to support them as part of our commitment to living out our vision and values of courage, hope, love, forgiveness, trust, community, and thankfulness.
By partnering with Birmingham Hospice, we aim to make a meaningful difference in our community and demonstrate our dedication to supporting others in need. Through this collaboration, we seek to instil in our pupils the importance of compassion, empathy, and social responsibility, fostering a culture of kindness and support for those facing challenging circumstances. Together, we are working towards creating a more caring and inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to flourish and thrive.
Collective Worship
John from Birmingham Hospice regularly comes into school to lead Collective Worship. Below is a photo of a quiz John did to teach the children about the important work the hospice do.
Visit to birmingham hospice
Our Head and Deputy Head pupils recently visited Birmingham Hospice. This meaningful experience allowed them to learn about the vital services provided by the hospice and the importance of compassion in our community. Our pupils engaged with the staff and gained valuable insights into the care and support offered to individuals and families during challenging times.
Our Head Pupil said…
Whilst at the hospice, we were shown around the cafe, garden, peace room, the Live Well Centre and more! The hospice have lots of spaces where their residents and visitors relax. There is also a children’s centre, where children of any age can do fun activities. We had a great time and learnt so much about the important work the hospice do. Overall, the hospice is a happy and vibrant place to be and we are excited to work with them more closely.
School Council support
Our School Council has been actively collaborating with Mo and John from Birmingham Hospice to explore ways in which we can further support their vital work in our community. After thoughtful discussions, our pupils have generated a list of innovative project ideas aimed at raising awareness and funds for the hospice throughout the year.
These initiatives reflect our school’s commitment to community service and compassion, aligning with our core values of love and community. We look forward to sharing more details about these projects as they develop and invite everyone in our school community to join us in supporting this important cause. Together, we can make a meaningful difference!
Working with the Lord Mayor and Local MP
The pupil leadership team at our school has taken a proactive stance in response to the news that Birmingham Hospice is facing severe underfunding, leading to the closure of certain facilities and job losses. After learning about the vital work the hospice does, the team was deeply moved and inspired to make a difference. They are particularly concerned that the closure of these facilities puts the hospice at risk of being unable to offer its vital services. Demonstrating their commitment to supporting our community, they have written heartfelt letters to the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and Local MP Preet Gill, urging for immediate support and intervention. Their actions reflect the values of empathy and responsibility that we strive to instil in our pupils. The work of our pupils has also inspired our Chair of Governors, Stephen Pihlaja, to also take action. He has actively been in contact with our MP to ensure that a change is made.
We are pleased to share that Preet Gill has been in regular contact with the school following this. We are currently arranging a visit with her to Birmingham Hospice to further raise awareness of the work they do. She is also keen to visit our school to see our support in action. We hope that this will have a positive impact in sustaining the fantastic work of the hospice.
Bereavement workshops
Recently, our pupils participated in bereavement workshops led by Birmingham Hospice, aimed at helping them understand and cope with loss. During these insightful sessions, children learned valuable skills for dealing with loss and supporting their others who may be experiencing similar feelings.
One of the highlights of the workshops was the ‘Mending Heart’ activity, where pupils creatively expressed their emotions and thoughts about loss. The workshops also provided an opportunity for pupils to identify trusted adults and friends they can turn to for help during difficult times.
By fostering open conversations about bereavement, we aim to equip our pupils with the tools they need to navigate their emotions and support one another within our school community.
Staff Training
The hospice have also worked closely with our staff. They have provided training for our teachers, teaching assistants and safeguarding team on how to support pupils dealing with different kinds of loss.
This training has equipped our staff with valuable skills to help pupils navigate these challenging times, reinforcing our courageous school vision. We are dedicated to fostering resilience and ensuring every pupil feels valued and supported.
Bunny Hop
We recently participated in the Bunny Hop fundraiser, where pupils and staff had to hop around the playground as many times as they could whilst wearing bunny ears. We were lucky enough to be joined by Hettie the Hedgehog too!
Through our collective efforts, we successfully raised a total of £2,006.90 to contribute towards the invaluable work of the hospice in our community. We had a special assembly where we were presented with a large cheque which indicated the amount of money we raised.
Enterprise Week
This year, our school proudly hosted an engaging Enterprise Week, where each year group came together to create unique products to sell. The event was a tremendous success! Our pupils showcased their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit by crafting a variety of items, from handmade crafts to delicious treats. The fair not only provided a platform for our pupils to develop their business skills but also fostered a sense of teamwork and collaboration among them. The highlight of the event might have been the chance to soak Mr Roberts!
We were thrilled to welcome Hettie the Hedgehog and John from Birmingham Hospice who joined us to support. The funds raised during Enterprise Week went directly to support Birmingham Hospice, reinforcing our school’s dedication to making a positive impact in our community. We are incredibly proud of our pupils’ hard work and creativity, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the hospice in future initiatives.
Bulls in the city
We have taken part in Birmingham Hospice’s ‘Bulls in the City’ project in 2025. This involved designing our very own bull which will be placed in the city centre for everyone to see later in the year. It will be part of a colourful and exciting trail while raising awareness of Birmingham Hospice and the importance of the care it provides the people of Birmingham and their loved ones.
Our sculpture, designed by our pupils, embodies St Michael’s core Christian values: love, hope, trust, courage, forgiveness, and thankfulness. By putting these values into action in our daily lives at school and in the community, the children and staff at St Michael’s experience ‘life in all its fullness’. Each element of our design highlights the children’s individual creativity and collective commitment to these guiding principles.
Rudolph Run
Our recent Rudolph Run was a fantastic success! Children enthusiastically participated in a timed run while wearing festive antlers, bringing holiday cheer to everyone involved. Through their spirited efforts, we raised £1,175.71 for Birmingham Hospice, supporting their invaluable work in our community. We are incredibly proud of our children and grateful to everyone who donated and supported this event. Together, we are making a difference!
We were also delighted to be joined by Hettie the Hedgehog, who added to the fun and excitement. Hettie even got to meet Father Christmas, making the day even more magical for everyone. Thank you once again to all who made this event possible!
As a school we raised £1,376 from the Rudolph Run in 2025 for Birmingham Hospice!
John led a fantastic assembly to present us with the cheque and explained how our money will be spent to help the local community.
Well done to everyone involved!
Parent Coffee Morning
Our recent coffee morning led by Mo and Sally from Birmingham Hospice was a wonderful success! It was lovely to see our parents come together to take part in a morning filled with meaningful conversations. They shared insights into the vital work that Birmingham Hospice does and the extensive support they can offer to our families. We are very grateful to everyone who attended and hope that the event was informative and useful. Thank you also to Mo and Sally for supporting our school community.
our running total…
The total amount of money we have raised for Birmingham Hospice so far is… £4,154.80!
How our money is spent
Eco Warriors
Our Eco Warriors club is leading the charge in promoting environmental responsibility within our school. Through initiatives such as the Big Birdwatch and data collection to reduce our carbon footprint, our Eco Warriors are empowering the whole school community to make sustainable choices.
Eco Award
St. Michael’s has been awarded the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction! 🌿 This recognition highlights our school’s exceptional commitment to sustainability and environmental education.
Our feedback praised the widespread school-wide engagement in eco initiatives, driven by our dedicated Eco Warriors, who have significantly raised environmental awareness. The environmental review led to impactful focus areas, including energy conservation through our planned “No Energy Day,” biodiversity support with bird feeders and wild meadows, and promoting healthy living by cultivating fresh produce. Integrating these initiatives into our curriculum, such as Year 5’s hands-on geography lessons about rivers and Year 6’s interdisciplinary studies on Charles Darwin and biodiversity, has made sustainability a natural part of our everyday education.
We are encouraged to continue featuring our Eco-Committee members and their projects to inspire even greater participation and enthusiasm for eco-friendly actions. This award is a testament to our collective efforts and commitment to making sustainability a lasting part of our school culture.
Climate 180
We are thrilled to announce that our school has become a Climate 180 Partner School through the Learning through Landscapes initiative! This partnership underscores our commitment to environmental education and sustainability. By integrating outdoor learning and eco-friendly practices into our curriculum, we aim to inspire students to become proactive stewards of the environment and further exemplify our Eco Code! Working collaboratively with us, this process will help us embed climate change as a theme across the curriculum and use the school grounds as a learning environment for all pupils. Together, we are taking significant steps towards a greener future, fostering a generation of environmentally conscious leaders.
Our Eco Code
Our dedicated Eco Warriors have developed an Eco Code that beautifully aligns with our school’s vision and values. This code, crafted with care and commitment, reflects our principles of justice and responsibility. It emphasises gratitude for the world God created, love for our beautiful planet, trust in everyone to do their part, hope for a greener future, community to share knowledge, forgiveness to learn from our mistakes, and courage to take action. By embodying these values, our Eco Warriors inspire the entire school community to become proactive stewards of the environment, fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental consciousness..
Let’s go Zero
As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, St. Michael’s has signed up for the ‘Let’s Go Zero’ initiative. We are currently gathering data to understand our carbon footprint better and develop strategies to reduce our impact on the planet. This aligns with our school’s vision of ‘Courage to Flourish in the Love of God,’ as we strive to be responsible stewards of the world around us.
Justice and Responsibility in Our Curriculum
At St. Michael’s CE Primary School, we believe that instilling a strong sense of justice and responsibility is essential for nurturing well-rounded, compassionate individuals who are equipped to make a positive impact on the world. These core values are woven throughout our curriculum, empowering our pupils to develop a deep understanding of their role as active citizens.
Our school’s Christian ethos, rooted in the teachings of the Bible, inspires us to champion justice and equality for all. Across subjects, our pupils explore themes of fairness, diversity, and inclusivity, developing a keen awareness of social injustices and their responsibility to address them.
In Religious Education, for example, pupils delve into the concepts of equality, human rights, and social justice, drawing insights from the life and teachings of Jesus. They engage in thoughtful discussions about how to apply these principles in their own lives and communities.
Similarly, in History and Geography, our pupils investigate global issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. We also explore key individuals such as Nelson Mandela, and the actions he took to fight for justice and equality.
Through our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) curriculum, we empower our pupils to become responsible, engaged citizens who actively contribute to their communities.
Pupils explore topics such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect. They learn about their rights and responsibilities, and how to advocate for themselves and others. By participating in school council meetings, charity fundraisers, and community outreach projects, our pupils develop a deep understanding of their role in creating a more just and compassionate world.
Food Bank
One way we put our values into practice is through our ongoing support of the local food bank, which is run by St Michael’s Church. We believe that everyone deserves access to nutritious food, and we encourage our pupils and their families to contribute non-perishable items to the food bank on a regular basis.
Throughout the year, our pupils learn about the importance of supporting those in need and the impact their donations can have on the local community. They take great pride in collecting and delivering the items to the church, understanding that their actions can make a real difference in the lives of others.
Show Racism the red card
Tackling racism and promoting equality is a key priority at St. Michael’s. We recently completed the ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ programme, which involved the entire school community engaging in a range of thought-provoking activities. By exploring issues of diversity, inclusion, and social justice, our pupils are developing a deeper understanding of their role in creating a more just and equitable society.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital
A huge congratulations to our school community for raising an impressive £1150 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Your generosity and hard work will make a significant difference in the lives of many children and their families.
Citizens UK
A number of children in school leadership teams are working with Citizens UK to become changemakers in our community and beyond. They are exploring the issues that matter most to them and deciding together how they want to make a national impact. Through this exciting project, our pupils are learning how to lead, listen and take action—proving that even the youngest voices can help shape a better future.
NSPCC Number Day
We were proud to take part in NSPCC Number Day, a fun and meaningful event that brings maths to life while supporting a vital cause. Our pupils enjoyed a day filled with exciting number-themed activities, all while raising an impressive amount of money to support the NSPCC’s work in keeping children safe. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate learning, creativity, and compassion in our school community.
