Our Mini Vinnies planned and organised a cake and biscuit sale to raise money for those in our community who are less fortunate than ourselves.  It was very popular and we raised an astounding £50 for St George's Crypt! Not bad considering we charged only 20p.  Our keen Mini Vinnies spent a long time counting up all of the change!

Our Mini Vinnies did a wonderful job helping to support children across School making Advent Wreaths.

We had a very proud day on Wednesday, 28th September, when our Mini-Vinnies attended St Anne's Cathedral to be commissioned or recommissioned by Bishop Marcus. Every child  promised to be a loyal and committed Mini-Vinnie.  We were especially pleased as Junior was chosen to read the First Reading and Adam served on the altar. 

Advent

The Mini-Vinnies have been helping to prepare the school for Advent.  They have been making posters to promote the 'Juice and Biscuit Sale' they will be holding on Tuesdays during advent to raise money.

They have also been helping to prepare teh travelling cribs that allow pupils to take the story and message of Christmas into their homes.

Today (Friday 14th September)  We went to St Anne's Cathedral to a Mini-Vinnie Mass with lots of Mini-Vinnies and Bishop Marcus.  We were commissioned or recommissioned in our role as Mini-Vinnies.  Ruby and Olivia held our banner representing our school.  

Here are what some of our Mini-Vinnies thought about the experience:

"I liked that there were so many schools called St Joseph's"
"It was exciting to be around so many schools."
"I liked it when they were holding the banners."
"I couldn't believe that there were so many Mini-Vinnies in the community."
" I liked it when I saw Bishop Marcus in real life." 

Written by 
Olivia, Batsi and Ruby

Well done to the Mini-Vinnies who have organised an amazing fund-raising event which raised £313.90 for the Good Shepherd Appeal.

This week was the last week for our 'Silver Snake' collection.  The Mini-Vinnies have organised an excellent fund raiser for the 'Good Shepherd Appeal' which has raised in excess of £250!  They have given up their lunch times to organise, measure and count the money.  Well done Mini-Vinnies.

Mini-Vinnies finding out which class has the longest silver snake.

During Lent pupils are fundraising for the Catholic Care Lenten Charity
'The Good Shepherd Appeal'

This appeal has been running every Lent for over 100 years, and involves the children and students of the diocesan schools working together to organise a wide range of fundraising events.

This year the Mini-Vinnies are helping to collect and count the money raised each week to see which year group has the longest snake.

Well done to Year 5, who had the longest snake this week.  It measured 7m and 13cm!

Before the holidays the Mini-Vinnies led the whole school in a Collective Worship about Lent.  They highlighted the key facts of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Maundy Thursday.  They then led the school in prayer reflecting on how during Lent we can pray, fast and do works of love.
The Mini-Vinnies did an excellent job of this and feedback from parents and visitors was very postitive.
 

"It was a good reflection and a good way to start Lent."

"I was able to find God in the prayer service."

"It was a good way to begin preparation for Lent."
 

During Advent the Mini-Vinnies held a juice and biscuit sale.  They promoted it through school and raised over £70.  Well Done Mini-Vinnies!

Mini-Vinnies

As Mini Vinnies, the pupils have their own 'treasured' Prayer, Pledge and Badge, a dedicated website and a range of bright and colourful documents which guide them in their formative steps - helping and enabling them to become in every sense, young Vincentians - or 'Mini Vinnies'.

For more information about the SVP family and Vincentians click on the link below.

The SVP family

St Joseph's is proud to be part of the SVP family as a Mini Vinnies school.  At St Joseph's we have a group of pupils who help lead the school with its vision to turn concern into action.