St Joseph’s RC Primary School achieves the LiveSimply award

Pupils and staff from St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Cardiff, have achieved the LiveSimply award, confirming that they are living simply, sustainably, and in solidarity with communities around the world experiencing poverty.

The award, championed by the international aid charity CAFOD, was presented to the school after they successfully planned and implemented a series of faith‑inspired actions that highlighted the importance of caring for people and the planet. Their actions have had a positive impact throughout the school, in the local community, and globally too, as they reached out to make a meaningful difference.

Celebrating the school’s actions

Across the year, pupils took part in a wide range of LiveSimply activities. The whole school joined the CAFOD Big Lent Walk, completing laps of the Daily Mile Track to raise funds and awareness of CAFOD’s work. As stated in the school’s action plan, “The whole school took part in a sponsored walk to raise funds for, and awareness of, CAFOD’s work in supporting our global family.” Children proudly wore stickers and welcomed families and parishioners who joined them in solidarity.

Pupils also deepened their commitment to justice by engaging with Fairtrade, running workshops, hosting a Fairtrade coffee afternoon, and encouraging families to swap everyday items for Fairtrade alternatives. The school continued working towards the Fairachiever Award, demonstrating long‑term dedication to ethical global citizenship.

During Refugee Week, the school community came together for a joyful and moving Day of Welcome, where families shared international dishes, music, dance, and prayer. As the action plan notes, “We will invite all the parents to bring along international dishes, with music, dance and song!” This celebration strengthened the school’s journey towards becoming a School of Sanctuary.

Locally, pupils built relationships with residents of Nazareth House Care Home, took part in a Laudato Si’‑inspired community litter pick, and organised donations for our local Foodbank, learning about the world food crisis and living out Catholic Social Teaching through service.

Within school, pupils and staff wrote personal LiveSimply pledges, created a whole‑school display, and took part in a “Disconnect to Reconnect” day, switching off electrical appliances and spending time outdoors. They also promoted sustainable travel by walking, scooting, and cycling to school while noticing “God’s creations” along their journey.

A Year 5 pupil shared:

“Taking part in LiveSimply made me feel like I was helping people far away and also helping our world. I liked doing the Big Lent Walk because we were all together doing something good. I think other schools should do LiveSimply because it shows you that even small actions can make a big difference.”

Leadership reflections

Kathryn Tuff, LiveSimply Lead at St Joseph’s RC Primary School, said:

“We are incredibly proud of our pupils, who have embraced every action with enthusiasm, compassion, and a real sense of purpose. The LiveSimply award has helped them develop lifelong skills—empathy, responsibility, teamwork—and it has been easy for staff to get involved thanks to CAFOD’s excellent resources and support. This journey has strengthened our whole community.”

CAFOD’s message

CAFOD’s LiveSimply Coordinator for Schools, Siobhan Farnell, said:

“Congratulations to the pupils and staff on achieving the LiveSimply award. Their actions are wonderful examples of caring for others and our common home and we wish them well as they continue to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with communities around the world experiencing poverty.”