A virtue is a personal quality that is good. Something that makes us a better person. Something that makes a positive difference in our lives as well as the lives of others.
Something you do because it is the right thing to do – even when no one is watching.
Every week in school we focus on a virtue to live by.
“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
Jesus’ words in John’s Gospel express the aim of human life as ‘human flourishing’. In life we aim to flourish by developing our character through the pursuit of our virtues. If we follow the virtues, we will be better people, who flourish in life, learn more about ourselves and others around us and lead by example in the way that Jesus taught us.
“Virtues to Live By” is a resource created by the Diocese of Leeds with the support of the Leeds Diocesan Association of Primary Headteachers.
“Virtues to Live By” enables our pupils to explore a virtue over a three week period (two per half term) to improve the school community’s virtue literacy and to deepen understanding and appreciation of the essential role the virtues play in the education of the whole person towards human flourishing. These are shown in the table below:
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The virtues chosen are common across cultures and faiths, but are sourced from the Christian tradition. They are linked directly to work in the Diocese of Leeds on the virtues and character education.
A full report entitled Catholic Character Education: Growing in the virtues and celebrating human flourishing in Catholic schools can be read below.
The document below outlines the classifications of the different virtues.