Mini-Vinnies

What are the Mini Vinnies?

‘Mini Vinnies’ is the name for a St Vincent de Paul Group for primary aged children. At Holy Family, when you reach Year 5, you become a member of the Mini Vinnies. With the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) at our core, we get  together to organise and run initiatives centered upon helping others in need within our school community, the local area and nationally.

What happens at a Mini Vinnies’ meeting?

Miss. McNulty, the Year 5 teacher, co-ordinates the group, giving us help and advice on the practicalities of our ideas.

• The president opens the meeting with a prayer
• A short spiritual reading/ reflection/ piece of music/ meditation follows the prayer.
•  Group members then talk about the Mini Vinnies' activities that have taken place since the previous meeting. Any future plans are then discussed, shared and actioned.
• We then share our ideas with the rest of school, asking them to help and support us.

Following the principles of CST, below are some of the activities that the Mini Vinnies have organised: 

Book Swap

'Book Swaps' take place on a regular basis at Holy Family. The intention is to ensure that all pupils have access to quality reading texts, even though their families may not be able to afford to buy them. After all, at Holy Family, 'Reading is King'.  Through this act, we are living out the CST principle of 'Preferential Option for the Poor'.

'Pyjama Day'

'Pyjama Day' on 15th, March, organised by our Mini Vinnies, raised £150.34. Funds collected were split between CAFOD and 'The Great Tommy Sleepout'.

Mini Vinnies

2024-2025

Term 1 2024-25 saw the appointment of President, Vice president and Treasurer for the coming year:

President: George

Vice President: Ire

Treasurer: Hudson

We look forward to seeing their ideas for putting Catholic Social Teaching into action at Holy Family.

Please scan the QR codes below to see their winning speeches.

Catholic Social Teaching in Action at Holy Family

Mini-Vinnies ‘Book Swap’

Helping to ensure that everyone at Holy Family has access to quality reading materials, our wonderful Mini-Vinnies organised another of their ‘Book Swap’ events.

All pupils were encouraged to bring in a book that they no longer needed and exchange it for a new ‘good read’ at no cost.

The whole enterprise was planned and co-ordinated by the pupils themselves, knowing that ‘Reading is King’ at HF and wanting to make sure that everyone had equality of access!