Mini Vinnies

The Mini Vinnies are the youngest members of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), an international Christian voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms by providing practical assistance to people in need.  here are groups in schools and parishes across England and Wales.

The Mini Vinnies get together in school to live out their mission of see, think, do, supporting their school community and beyond alongside the SVP.

Our Mini Vinnies are children from Class 4/5 and Class 6.

Mini Vinnies turn concern into action by…

•      Praying for those in need

•      Making cards for those who may be sick, isolated or lonely

•      Visiting local care homes to sing and share stories with residents

•      Taking part in arts and crafts to share with others

•      Running food collections for a local food bank

•      Supporting other children in their school or parish

Pupil Parliament (School Council)

Our School Council gives pupils a real voice in school life. Each September, children apply in writing to the Headteacher, and councillors are then democratically elected by their class.

Working together, they share ideas, lead projects and help make St Joseph’s an even better place to learn and grow. The School Council shows our children that their views matter and that they can make a positive difference in our school family.

The council meets fortnightly with the headteacher and there are representatives from each class. Here are the Head Pupils in Year 6 (photographed to the left). These pupils set a fantastic example of servant leadership to the rest of school.

Planet Protectors

Our Planet Protectors are pupil leaders who help drive our school’s commitment to caring for God’s creation. Each week, they count our Earth Minutes, take meter readings, and help us monitor how well we are looking after our planet. They tend to our allotment beds, plant and care for our garden spaces, and support whole‑school sustainability projects.

This dedicated team has written to the Archdiocese to request solar panels for our school and helped to shape our Climate Action Plan, ensuring pupils have a real voice in our environmental mission.

As role models and Stewards of God’s creation, they show our school community how small, thoughtful actions can make a big difference. We are guided by the words of Scripture: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15)

Our Planet Protector meetings take place fortnightly on a Tuesday at lunchtime.

Prayer Leaders

Our Prayer Leaders play a special role in guiding the prayer life of each class. Every week, three children are chosen from each class to help plan and lead the weekly Celebration of the Word.

They prepare the worship space, choose the hymns, set the lighting, and help create a calm, prayerful atmosphere. During worship, they lead the Gather, share the prayers, and explain the mission we are called to “go forth” with each week.

As young leaders of faith, our Prayer Leaders help their classmates grow closer to God and model what it means to pray with reverence, confidence and joy.