Mini Vinnie Bear

Due to our fundraising efforts in the Autumn term, the SVP very kindly gifted us a ‘Mini Vinnie Bear’. One of our Mini Vinnies decided it would be nice if each Mini Vinnie took a turn to take our Vinnie bear on an adventure this week to show how we live out our faith! Chloe went first and took the Vinnie bear to visit a foodbank.

Chloe said, “I took Vinnie to a food bank. I donated a box of cereal to the poor. Vinnie was sitting with all of the food that was being donated to the poor. I did this as I wanted to help others that are less fortunate than me! It is important that we donate because it helps people who don’t have a lot of things.”

Niall said, "Over the weekend, Vinnie and I went to the church to donate money to charity and we also went around the local area to give a pack of food to people living on the streets. This made me feel really please because I knew I was helping people less fortunate than me."

Mini Vinnie Meetings

The Mini Vinnie Chaplaincy team often use their own time during a lunch break to meet with Mrs Foley to discuss very important matters and their roles and responsibilities throughout the school. One Mini Vinnie each meeting also takes the task of recording the minutes so that we never forget what has been mentioned. The Mini Vinnies have shown fantastic dedication to their role this term. Well done!

Fundraising Event for St Vincent De Paul Society

To support the work we have been doing on Catholic Social Teaching, the Mini Vinnies organised a fundraising event to raise money for the St Vincent De Paul Society which is a charity that works to support the homeless and others in need.  The children ran a 'Guess the name of the teddy' competition (where the winning guess wins the teddy) and also a 'Guess the number of sweets in the jar' competition.  We were delighted with how many children and staff took part and £139 was raised to go towards making Vinnie Packs for the homeless this winter.

There were 100 sweets in the jar and the joint winners were Alexander and Isadora!

The name of the teddy was Caroline and the winner was Aimee!

A big thank you to the Mini Vinnies for a fantastic job in organising and running this event and to all who were able to make donations!

Mini Vinnie Chaplaincy Team Meeting 26/09/24

The Mini Vinnies had a very important task for their first meeting and were asked to come up with some fundraising ideas. We needed an idea for CAFOD's Family Fast Day as OLOG were very keen to take part and raise money as part of our Harvest celebrations. The Mini Vinnies made a fantastic list of fundraising ideas before deciding upon an own clothes day with a £1 donation. The rest of the fundraising ideas will be saved for other events throughout the year. Well done Mini Vinnies!

Mini Vinnie Chaplaincy Team 2024-2025

A big congratulations to our newly appointed members of the OLOG Mini Vinnie Chaplaincy Team!

Year 3 – Sean, Ella, Desi, Oisin.

Year 4 – Rex, Eliza, Elijah, Alice.

Year 5 – Niall, Blessing, Anna, Rylan.

Year 6 – Ivy P, Noah, Sylvester, Chloe.

Ashford Place

Just before the Christmas holidays, the Mini Vinnies help to spread Christmas cheer in the local community. We visited Ashford Place and met some of the residents. The Mini Vinnies enjoyed taking a closer look at the amazing work that the volunteers at Ashford Place do for the local community. They even made Christmas cards for those who may feel lonely during the Christmas period and helped to make their Christmas dinner memorable by setting the tables and singing Christmas carols.

Who are the Mini Vinnies?

The Society of St Vincent de Paul has been engaging with young people and education since its earliest days. Today, the SVP of England and Wales is pleased to highlight its continuing strong links with young people, through the development of its ‘Mini Vinnies’ programme.

‘Mini Vinnies’ are children aged between 7 to 11 who, with the permission of their parents and the support of their Schools, are encouraged to embark on their first steps as possible ‘Vincentians for life’. As Mini Vinnies, the youngsters 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’.

Here in Our Lady of Grace Junior School, Mini Vinnies are known as The Mini Vinnie Chaplaincy Team (MVCT) and two pupils are nominated every year to represent their class and continue the work of The Vincentians here in school.

The group live out the school’s mission statement and they work in school to raise funds and awareness for issues in our local community. Mini Vinnies meet regularly to pray, discuss and support however they can to help make a difference in their communities. Children involved work to turn concern into action using the simple formula of ‘see, think, do’ to find people in need and help them. The MVCT also help lead Prayer and Liturgy across the school. 

Congratulations to our newly elected Mini Vinnies Chaplaincy Team:

3S: Lili and Alex

3L: Reign and Silias

4M: Aubrie and Julian

4J: Peyton and Teagan

5M: Liya and Holly

5I: Senan and Roza

6M: Niyah and Maja

6K: Kaja and Leanne