LIVING OUR FAITH

Mini Vinnies and Charity

At St Patrick’s, our Mini Vinnies help us to live out our Catholic mission by putting faith into action. Inspired by the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society, our Mini Vinnies look for ways to help others, show kindness and respond to the needs of our school, parish and wider community. 

Through prayer, service and action, the children learn that even small acts of love can make a big difference. Mini Vinnies gives pupils the opportunity to lead by example, support charitable work and encourage others to follow Jesus’ message of love, compassion and care for those in need.

In June 2025, our Mini Vinnies thanked all the children who took part in fundraising for Mary’s Meals. Together, we raised £100 for the charity, helping to provide meals for hungry children in some of the poorest countries in the world. 

We were very proud of everyone who took part and supported this important cause.

In June 2026, we were delighted to raise £85 for Aid to the Church in Need by taking part in the Maisy Milk Rosary for Peace during the month of May. 

The children created beautiful rosary bead designs, which were displayed in school. They also spent time learning about the work of Aid to the Church in Need and praying the rosary for peace.

In November 2025, our School Council, who are also our Mini Vinnies, attended the Headstone Dedication Service at St Mary’s Church for Corporal John James Cash and Private Henry Welsh. 

The children were very proud and honoured to take part in such a special service. They each laid a poppy in remembrance, showing respect and gratitude alongside members of the parish and wider community.

In December 2023, our Mini Vinnies welcomed Helen Starkie from Copeland Age and Advice Service C.I.C. to school. 

Helen came to collect the wonderful chocolate and sweet hampers that the Mini Vinnies had put together using the kind donations from our school community. This was a lovely way for the children to show care and kindness to others at Christmas time.

In February 2023, our Mini Vinnies helped to spread kindness and joy through a friendship fundraiser. 

The children organised a sweet stand and photo booth, encouraging everyone to celebrate friendship, kindness and love within our school community.

In November 2023, our Mini Vinnies received a visit from Nick and Grant from Change Competitions. 

They were very impressed with the children’s fundraising and kindly rewarded the Mini Vinnies with selection boxes. The children also learned about the different charities that Change Competitions support, which inspired them to continue their own fundraising and service for others.

During Children’s Mental Health Week in February 2026, our Mini Vinnies helped lead a whole-school wellbeing vote linked to the theme This Is My Place. 

The children voted for a new wellbeing activity to help pupils feel a sense of belonging in school. The winning choice was Random Acts of Kindness. Each day, children were nominated to carry out a kind action for someone in school.

This helped to encourage empathy, friendship and a positive school community where everyone feels they belong.

In December 2022, our Mini Vinnies School Council were awarded the golden jumpers for generosity. 

They were recognised for giving up their own time to help others. We are very proud of their dedication, kindness and commitment to living out our Catholic mission.

As part of our commitment to serving others in the local community, our Mini Police visited Stafford Court to spend time with the residents. The children played games including dominoes, bingo and Connect Four, bringing smiles, friendship and companionship to the afternoon. This was a lovely example of our pupils showing kindness, respect and care for others, while building meaningful links with the wider community.

Our Blue Influencers invited members of the local community to visit and enjoy our Nature School area. The children were proud to share this special outdoor space and talk about how it can be used for learning, wellbeing, nature study and community activities. 

As part of their project, they also offered the use of the area to local groups, helping to strengthen links between our school and the wider community. This was a wonderful example of our pupils taking action, caring for creation and sharing the gifts of our school with others.

Ministers of the Word: Sharing God's Word

At St Patrick’s, our Ministers of the Word have a special role in helping our school community listen to and reflect on the Word of God. 

Our pupils are supported to grow in confidence, reverence and understanding as they prepare to read Scripture during prayer, liturgy and worship. They learn that proclaiming the Word of God is an important ministry and that their voices can help others to pray, listen and respond.

Through this role, children develop confidence, responsibility and a deeper connection with their faith. Our Ministers of the Word are wonderful examples of pupil leadership in Catholic life, helping to keep Scripture at the heart of our school.

Our Ministers of the Word are commissioned by Father Paul, reminding them that this is a valued role within our school and parish family.

Our Ministers of the Word programme helps children to proclaim Scripture with reverence, confidence and understanding. Through the six-week programme, pupils develop their speaking skills, learn about the importance of sharing God’s Word, and grow in confidence as readers during Mass and school worship. We were delighted to celebrate their commitment when they were commissioned by Father Paul, with families, our choir and representatives from the Diocese of Lancaster joining us for this special occasion. 

Our Ministers of the Word programme helps children to proclaim Scripture with reverence, confidence and understanding when they are called upon to read at Mass and during school worship. 

As part of the programme, the children learn how to use their voices clearly and respectfully when sharing the Word of God. They practise skills such as clarity, diction, pace and expression, working together to support and encourage one another.

One of the sessions focused on voice and confidence, with the children enjoying tongue twisters before preparing a beautiful reading from Isaiah 61:1–2. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they learned that proclaiming the Word of God is both a privilege and a responsibility.

We are very proud of their commitment and the reverence they show in this special ministry.

St Patrick’s used the Diocesan Ministers of the Word programme to create a set of PowerPoint slides to support the delivery of the sessions in school. These resources helped children understand the importance of proclaiming Scripture with reverence, confidence and understanding. We were also pleased to be able to share these slides with other schools, supporting them in developing pupil ministry and strengthening the role of Scripture in prayer and liturgy.

Our House Saints

At St Patrick’s, our House Saints help to inspire our children to live out their faith each day. Each saint shows us a different way of following Jesus through love, courage, service, kindness and care for others. 

Our children belong to one of four houses: St Francis, St Josephine Bakhita, St Thérèse of Lisieux and St Oscar Romero. Through learning about their lives, pupils are encouraged to think about how they too can make a difference in our school, parish and wider community.

Our House Saints remind us that holiness can be lived out in many ways - through small acts of love, standing up for what is right, caring for creation and showing compassion to others.

Saint Francis of Assisi is the Patron Saint of animals and nature.

Saint Francis loved all creatures—big and small—and saw God in the beauty of the world. He reminds us to care for our planet and each other.

Saint Josephine Patron of forgiveness & freedom.

Once a slave, Josephine found strength in love and forgiveness. She reminds us that hope can grow in the hardest of places.

Saint Oscar Romero is the Patron Saint of justice and peace.

Saint Oscar Romero stood up for the poor and spoke out against injustice. He teaches us to care for others and speak with courage.

Saint Thérèse of kindness and everyday love. Thérèse believed in doing small things with big love. She shows us how little acts of kindness can change the world.