Mini Vinnies
Every child at St. Vincent’s is regarded as a ‘Mini Vinnie’ and from Reception to 6, representatives from each class are chosen to help organise charity work. Our pupil representatives work to guide the school in looking after members within our school community, locally, nationally and internationally. The Mini Vinnies fundraise for those less fortunate by responding to and identifying need. The children run the meetings and have in place a pupil president, treasurer and secretary.
The Mini Vinnies have ambitious plans. They make a tangible difference to the lives of our school and wider community and want to carry on the good work of St Vincent De Paul by turning concern into action.
We asked the children why they think it is important to have MIni Vinnies in school.
“Mini Vinnies can be role-models to younger children in the school - Ellie in Year 5
“It is exciting to represent our school in this way” - Anna in Year 6
The Mini Vinnies at St. Vincent's have led some exciting projects over the last year. You can read about some of these below.
The Mini Vinnies invited members of SVP to our school for a Tea Party. They gave a presentation to their guests about everything they have been doing since the start of the year, the fund raising events they have held, the church services they have been a part of and how they are helping the school to celebrate the Year of Mercy. The choir were on hand to perform a range of songs for our visitors. The Mini Vinnies then provided their guests with tea, coffee and a selection of biscuits and scones. The Mini Vinnies enjoyed getting to know members of the SVP from Holy Angels and St Vincent's. The visitors were very impressed by their hard work, good manners, obvious enthusiasm and beautiful singing. The children happily engaged in conversation with SVP members and were keen to find out if there was anything more that they could be doing to help out in the Parish.
Visits to local Care Home
Many of the children at St. Vincent's have beautiful singing voices. We decided that it would be a great idea to share them with people in our local community and spent time singing and chatting to residents at a Care Home near to our school. Another visit is planned for the Spring - this time to play dominos and chess!
Cornerstone Shoebox appeal
Cornerstone is a homeless shelter in Manchester. We decided to work together to support a Christmas appeal focused on filling shoeboxes with essential items such as toothbrushes, handwash, socks and gloves. During advent, we encouraged classmates to buy one of these items with their pocket money. Just before Christmas we managed to fill over 30 shoeboxes to take to the people at Cornerstone.
Fairtrade fortnight
During March we have been leading a "Fairtrade fortnight" campaign across the school; building awareness about Fairtrade issues like better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers. The whole school, along with members of the parish SVP will be enjoying Fairtrade breaktime together to sample how good the products taste.
Easter knit a chick
We have been knitting Easter chicks to sell in order to raise funds for Francis House Children's Hospice. This has been a great way to get both parents and grandparents involved in knitting for a worthy cause. The chicks are steadily multiplying and the family are now a rainbow of colours! Watch out for the chicks on sale after 10am Mass at St. Vincent's and Holy Angels, as well as at our school Easter "Eggstravaganza".
) @StVincentsPr
