“The Gospel of Jesus Christ requires us to ‘love our neighbour as ourselves’ and that is at the heart of the Christian interpretation of citizenship.”
History of the Citizenship Awards
The Brentwood Catholic Schools Good Citizenship Awards were established in 2002 when Catholic schools across the Diocese were invited to nominate pupils who had demonstrated an outstanding commitment to good citizenship. The first awards were presented at St Helen’s Cathedral, Brentwood, by Professor Lord Alton of Liverpool, a former pupil of the Diocese whose vision and encouragement inspired the initiative. The programme was strongly supported by the Brentwood Religious Education Service as schools responded to the introduction of Citizenship within the national curriculum.
Since their inception, the awards have grown significantly and are now a well-established annual celebration of the values at the heart of Catholic education. Schools throughout the Diocese nominate pupils whose actions demonstrate courage, resilience, compassion, leadership, service to others, and a commitment to the common good. Recipients are presented with their awards at Brentwood Cathedral by the Bishop of Brentwood.
The Diocese of Brentwood remains committed to the belief that being a good Catholic involves being a good citizen. As Lord Alton has often reminded us,“the Gospel of Jesus Christ requires us to love our neighbour as ourselves”, and this lies at the heart of the Christian understanding of citizenship.
From the first celebration, involving just 11 schools, the awards have continued to expand, reflecting the dedication of our Catholic school communities to nurturing young people who make a positive difference in the lives of others. Each year, the ceremony provides an inspiring opportunity to recognise pupils who embody the values their schools seek to promote and who serve as role models for their peers.
The awards recognise a wide range of achievements, including extraordinary acts of kindness, service to the community, advocacy for others, perseverance in the face of adversity, and selfless care for those in need. These young people are living examples of the Gospel in action and of the mission of Catholic education.
At its heart, the Catholic understanding of citizenship is a willingness to act for, speak for, and serve those who cannot do so for themselves. In a single word, Catholic citizenship is service.
| Education Administrator | Erin Gatheral |
|---|
