Pupil Faith Leaders
Mini Vinnies 2024/2025
We are delighted to announce the new Mini Vinnies for the 2024/2025 academic year!
The selection process was incredibly challenging this year, as we received many wonderful applications from our students, each demonstrating great enthusiasm, compassion, and a desire to make a positive difference. It was inspiring to see how many of our children are eager to contribute to the community.
While it was difficult to choose from such an outstanding group, we are confident that those selected will represent our school and the values of Mini Vinnies with dedication and care. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make over the coming year.
Thank you to all the children who applied and to you, their parents, for supporting them in their efforts. Your encouragement plays a key role in fostering the values of kindness, service, and responsibility that our school holds dear.
We are excited for a year of wonderful initiatives and activities with our new Mini Vinnies!
St Peter - Alexander
St Martin - Reggie
St Francis of Assisi - Emily
St Martin de Porres - Tilly
St Patrick - Novae
St Elizabeth - Jacob
St Oscar Romero - Michelle
St Teresa - Emmanuel
Mini Vinnies at the Beginning of Year Mass - Thursday 26th September 2024
We are thrilled to share the success of a very special event that took place on Thursday, 26th September 2024. Our UKS2 Mini Vinnies had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Beginning of Year Mass and Commissioning, led by Archbishop John Wilson at St. George’s Cathedral, Southwark.
Along with schools and colleges from across the Archdiocese of Southwark, our students gathered to celebrate and renew their commitment to the Catholic life and mission for the new academic year. This event marked the start of our Mini Vinnies' service and dedication to helping others within our community.
The Mass was a beautiful and inspiring occasion, bringing together young people and educators alike, unified in faith and purpose. We would like to thank everyone involved, and especially Archbishop John Wilson, for his guidance and leadership throughout this significant celebration.
Our Mini Vinnies returned to school motivated and excited for the year ahead, ready to embrace their role in living out the values of service, compassion, and community.
We look forward to seeing the wonderful work they will continue to do!
Sharing Bible Stories
The Mini Vinnies and School Council gathered to share their favourite Bible stories with the children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2. This activity was special and important because it allowed older students to foster a sense of community and mentorship with their younger friends. By sharing these meaningful stories, they not only brought the Bible to life but also encouraged a love for storytelling and learning about faith. This interaction helped build a supportive and nurturing environment, where the younger pupils felt valued and inspired by their older peers. Here are some of the things the children in KS1 said about the session:
Gavilan - "I know that this important story teaches me to not be jealous, but happy for other people."
Joleene - "We remember when Jesus healed people. We have to spread the word of his goodness."
Mini Vinnies and Friends
Our Mini Vinnies prayer group has been thinking about our mission statement and how we can be better friends, inspired by our Catholic beliefs. During our discussions and prayers, we've talked about the importance of kindness, empathy, and support, just as Jesus taught us to love one another. We've come up with ideas like including others in play, helping those who need it, and showing appreciation for our classmates, following the example of Jesus' compassion and service. This has helped us understand what it means to be a good friend and live out our faith, bringing us closer together and making our community more caring and supportive.
Bishop Philip's Visit to Our Lady of Grace - 22nd April 2024
We were delighted to welcome Bishop Philip Moger to Our Lady of Grace school today. He met with Mr Small on his arrival to the school. This was followed by a meeting with Bishop Philip and members of the Mini Vinnies. Bishop Philip was then given a tour of the school by the head boy, Vinnie Taylor, and head girl, Chloe Moody.
The bishop visited St Francis of Assisi to observe a class Act of Worship. Last year, some of our children had the pleasure of attending Bishop Philip's ordination and he met with these children again.
We hope he enjoyed his visit and we look forward to seeing him back at Our Lady of Grace school soon.
Bible Storytime commenced this term!
Our Mini Vinnies and School Council members joined together to work on this project. During whole school quiet reading the pupils went to different classes and shared their favourite Bible stories . The pupils had the opportunity to discuss what the Bible teaches us and important parts with an older peer.
Community Irish Dancers at Our Lady of Grace Parish - 16th December
Our Irish dance troupe performed at the Our Lady of Grace Church Parish party on Saturday 16th December! The 28 dancers worked hard to perfect their routine in readiness for the event. Judging by the reaction of the parishioners, their hard work paid off and everyone had a great time.
Carol Service at St George's Cathedral 13th December
At the request of Archbishop John Wilson, our pupils were invited to take part in the
annual Carol Service at St George’s Cathedral.
Guitar Performance to residents in Westcombe Park Nursing Home
Steve Mac and some children from year 6 were privileged to play at Westcombe Park Nursing Home. The guitar troupe and singers were wonderful. Catholic social teaching being played out.
From Marion at Westcombe Park Nursing Home
Thank you so much for bringing children over yesterday for the Christmas concert,
our residents and staff absolutely loved it, even shed a few tears!. We would love to
have you all back anytime in the future.
Thanks again
Recycling Monitors
Pope Francis Laudato Si' is an invitation to everyone on the planet to care for our common home.
In Year 6, we learn about Stewardship in Catholic Social Teaching, which is practical action relating to climate change, the environment and sustainable development. Our Laudato' Si Monitors have very important responsibilities which they carry out everyday
- ensuring recycling takes place
- switching off lights and interactive whiteboards that have been left on
- take part in meetings which discuss environmental action for the school
"It's in our hands to do what is right" - Tyler
" We are stewards of our earth and this starts at school" Carlos
"We all have to take part in protecting the earth" Suvan
"Recycling what we can is important so that materials can be reused." Alanna S
Thank you
Our Mini Vinnies Maria, Annabella and Ife would like to thank you all for your food donations last week.
"Please keep donating for our community!" Annabella
Mini Vinnies
It was fantastic to meet with the new Mini Vinnies of this academic year. Our topic in this session was to look at St Oscar Romero and his work for the poor. We looked at our own school experiences and talked about what happens at our school in relation to Poverty and Social Justice. Here are some of the things the children highlighted:
"Free school meals this year will help families who are struggling with the cost of living crisis." - Sam Year 6
" We learn about important people like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King who are important people who fought for justice, so that the world can be more fair." - Maria Year 3
"We raise money for CAFOD which goes to people in different parts of the world" - Titus Year 6
"We have a food bank which is for people who need food and come to our church." - Teniola Year 5
The Mini Vinnies look forward to working together this year to help others in need
Our Minnie Vinnies
Well done to all the children who applied to be a Mini Vinnie. Here are the selected children who will be our Mini-Vinnies at Our Lady of Grace.
These children have been chosen because they are role models for their participation in R.E lessons and for how they show their Christianity in all that they do.
- St Oscar Romero - Sam
- St Teresa - Titus
- St Elizabeth - Mujeah
- St Patrick - Teniola
- St Martin de Porres - Ifermola
- St Francis of Assisi - Tife
- St Peters - Annabella
- St Martin - Maria
Mini Vinnies Liturgy
The Mini Vinnies proudly welcomed special friends to our Liturgy this afternoon. We had the chance to sing together and pray together. Our focus was friendship and we had the chance to thank God for all the wonderful friends we have at our school
It was great to sit and be grateful for friends. This is something we don't usually get a chance to do in a mixed group - Isaac (St Oscar Romero)
I enjoyed talking about the Gospel and thinking about what individual words and phrases mean for us today - Joseph (St Martin de Porres)
I loved the attention to detail in how it was presented. I was impressed that it was all led by Haggen and Lilo - Sophie (St Teresa)
Mini-Vinnies Prayer
The Mini Vinnies understand the importance of using our eyes to see and using our hands to do. They have created their own Mini Vinnies Prayer thinking carefully about their role and responsibilities.
Mini-Vinnies in the Community
Our Mini Vinnies have collaborated with the School Council to continue their joint project for people in our local community. Our pupil leaders and faith leaders have been working on some lovely Christmas cards for the parishioners of Our Lady of Grace Church.