Staff training with The Santa Marta Group and Caritas Southwark on Human Trafficking
We were honoured, on Wednesday, 29th January, to warmly welcome Alexander DesForges and Miriam Cakebread from The Santa Marta Group, along with John Coleby from Caritas Southwark, as they led a workshop with staff to raise awareness of the critical issue of Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery. This event was a powerful reminder of our school’s values of Welcome, Handwork, and Service in action, as we opened our hearts and minds to learning about a global injustice and explored how we can serve others by working to combat exploitation in all its forms.
Inspired by its patron, St Josephine Bakhita—the patron saint of victims of human trafficking—and by the tireless efforts of religious sisters who have cared for trafficking victims for many decades, The Santa Marta Group was established in 2014 as a partnership between the Church, police, business, and civil society internationally. Led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leaders from the Church and Police Chiefs from over twenty-five countries, with the support of Pope Francis, aim to bring about the changes needed to rid the world of the scourge of human trafficking.
“The indispensable service of the Santa Marta Group will be able to free the victims of the new forms of slavery... to unmask the traffickers and those who create this market, and to offer effective assistance to cities and nations; a service for the common good, and for the promotion of human dignity, that it may be able to draw out the best of every person and of every citizen.” – Pope Francis
As a Catholic school, our commitment to Catholic Social Teaching (CST) calls us to recognise and uphold Human Dignity as a fundamental principle. Our ongoing staff training programme places a strong emphasis on embedding CST in all aspects of school life at St Mary’s. Alexander and Miriam’s workshop reinforced this key principle, demonstrating how true Service means advocating for the dignity of every human being, particularly the most vulnerable in society. Their work is a testament to Faith in Action, showing the impact of collective efforts to combat human trafficking.
During the session, staff learned about the growing crisis of human trafficking, with the staggering reality that 50 million people worldwide are victims of this horrific trade. This crime generates an estimated US$236 billion globally, and it is not an issue confined to distant countries—it exists within our own communities. Through an interactive video presentation and group discussions, staff explored different forms of modern-day slavery and the presence of unethical labour practices in everyday businesses, even in local shopping centres and high streets.
Importantly, staff were encouraged to reflect on how this knowledge informs their roles, not only in the pastoral care of pupils and their families but also in shaping the curriculum across all subjects. The principle of Handwork reminds us that our labour should always serve justice and the common good. Pope Francis’ 2024 call to action challenges us: “…to mobilize all our resources in combatting trafficking and restoring full dignity to those who have been its victims…If we close our eyes and ears, if we do nothing, we will be guilty of complicity.” Our school community is called to be proactive in addressing injustice through education, awareness, and advocacy.
By embedding these principles into student learning, we empower our young people to become compassionate, informed, and socially responsible individuals. Through discussions in Religious Studies, PHSE, and Citizenship, students can explore the real-world impact of human trafficking and the ways they can challenge injustice. Engagement in community service projects and awareness campaigns will allow them to put their learning into action, ensuring that the values of Welcome, Handwork, and Service shape their development, both academically and personally, preparing them to be advocates for social justice in their future lives.
We are deeply grateful to Alexander, Miriam, and John for sharing their expertise and guiding us in this vital work. Their visit strengthened our commitment to living out our values of Welcome, Handwork, and Service by fostering a school culture that not only educates but also actively participates in building a more just world.
