Our Lady & St. Werburgh's Catholic Primary School

Our Mini Vinnies

Our Mini Vinnies are children from Years 4, 5 and 6 who turn concern for our world into action. We meet once a week to discuss and plan how we can contribute towards spreading God's word in our community, using the Mini Vinnies motto "See, Think, Do." The Mini Vinnies decide the actions we can take to help, grow and advocate within our school and local community.

Season of Creation Vigil

Four representatives from our Mini Vinnies group attended a special vigil service at Holy Trinity Church with our CTKCC family of schools in October,  to celebrate the Season of Creation and reflect upon how we can better care for our common home entrusted to us by God. Rachel in Year 6 created a lovely poster summarising some of our efforts to gain our CAFOD Live Simply Award, which she presented during the service, and Eva, Conal and Aidan all read beautifully.

Stewardship: Making Bird Feeders

In preparation for winter, our Mini Vinnies have been busy making bird feeders out of recyclable and biodegradable materials, as part of our Live Simply pledge. They enjoyed placing the feeders around the school grounds in the hope of attracting some feathered friends!

Litter Picking

One of our Mini Vinnies ideas to support our local area is to litter pick regularly. We litter pick around our school ground and into our local community. We have been recognised on our local community Facebook page for our services to the wider local community, even being nominated for a local community heroes award! 

A Rainbow of Prayers

The Mini Vinnies supporting the children in Reception and Key Stage 1 on how to say a prayer and attach a ribbon onto the railings in our prayer space.

They also support on Key Stage 2 playground to promote prayer with the older children. 

Mini Vinnie Pledge

Our Mini Vinnies shared an assembly on the life and inspiration of St Vincent de Paul on Friday 27th September, the Feast Day of their patron, where they shared their pledge of commitment with the school. They shared their fundraising ideas with the school, which this year will be focusing upon caring for God's creation, supporting the food back and raising money for the SVP and homeless charities.  

Macmillan Coffee Morning

With the help of Mrs Ford, our Mini Vinnies organised and served coffee and cake at our Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 27th September. It was a fantastic turn out and we had lots of compliments about how polite and helpful our lovely Mini Vinnie team are! 

Mini Vinnies 2023-2024

Litter Picking

Our Mini Vinnies are always showing their care for creation and stewardship of God's earth by litter picking in the local area- it is one of their favourite past-times! 

Visit to Waveney Court

After discussing loneliness following the Pandemic, we decided to visit Waveney Court, a residential living home in our parish. The Mini Vinnies decided to visit during Advent, where they could share in the season of Christmas. We made cards and paper chains with the residents, spent talking to residents about our school and lives then we sang a collection of traditional carols and festive songs. It was an most enjoyable afternoon had by all. 

During Advent, the Mini Vinnies also sang a variety of traditional carols and Christmas songs to our local Parent and Toddler group. 

Now the weather is becoming drier, we have resumed our litter picking outside our school gates and along the path.

To share the joy of Easter and to spread the Lord's love at this time, the Mini Vinnies designed and wrote Easter cards for children who are unwell in our local hospital. We then asked one of our parents who works on the children's ward to share our Easter cards with the children. We received a lovely response from the nurses who work on the ward, thanking us and telling us about the joy and hope that this brings into the lives of these poorly children. We ask that God may bless them and protect them in their suffering.