"I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
Matthew 25:35

At St Alban's, every child and every family is welcomed as a unique and precious member of God's family. We believe that each person is made in the image and likeness of God, and so everyone who walks through our doors deserves to feel safe, valued and loved. We celebrate the rich diversity of our school community, and we see the many languages, cultures and faith traditions of our families as a gift that helps us all to learn and grow.

Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching

Our approach to welcome and inclusion is shaped by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, which guide how we treat one another and how we respond to people in need:

• The dignity of the human person – every person, whatever their background or story, has equal worth in the eyes of God.
• Solidarity – we are one human family. When one person suffers, we all share in that suffering, and we are called to stand alongside them.
• Option for the poor and vulnerable – we give special care and attention to those who are most in need, just as Jesus did.
• The common good – we build a community where everyone can flourish, not just some.
• Family and community – we recognise the importance of family life and the need for every family to belong and be supported.

Welcoming refugees and people seeking sanctuary

Throughout the Bible, God asks His people to care for the stranger, remembering that they too were once strangers in a foreign land. Jesus himself was a refugee as a child, when the Holy Family fled to Egypt to escape danger.

Inspired by this, we teach our children to see refugees and people seeking sanctuary not as "others", but as our brothers and sisters. Pope Francis summed up the Church's response in four simple words: welcome, protect, promote and integrate. At St Alban's, we try to live this out by:

• warmly welcoming new families, including those who have had to leave their homes, and helping them to settle into our school and wider community
• helping our children to understand why people are forced to flee their homes, and to respond with compassion rather than fear
• celebrating the gifts, cultures and experiences that every family brings
• praying for, and taking action with, those who are displaced around the world, including through our work with CAFOD

We want our children to grow into adults who recognise the face of Christ in everyone they meet, and who work for a world where every person is welcomed, respected and able to live in peace.