St John Vianney has a very active social justice program with a dual focus on awareness and action. The student leaders guide the student body in a variety of initiatives including the Caritas Project Compassion Appeal, St Vincent de Paul Appeal, and Catholic Mission.
We have a Mini Vinnies committee for which students can volunteer. Mini Vinnies is about doing good works in the community that benefit people facing social injustice. It is also about young people meeting to talk, share ideas and concerns, to have fun and support each other. The endeavours of the Mini Vinnies team to date have been greatly appreciated from the wider community.
Our fundraising focuses for each term throughout the year are:
TERM 1
Caritas – Project Compassion – global support
Donations are collected through the Project Compassion money boxes. Mini Vinnies leaders collect money from classroom Project Compassion boxes each week.
TERM 2
Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal – supporting Locals
We ask the local St Vincent de Paul Society what needs there are in the local community and we use the Winter Appeal to support that cause. In the past we have asked families for food, clothing or blanket donations.
TERM 3
The school encourages the students to propose other areas for social justice work on a needs basis. In 2018, we held “Fiver for a Farmer Day” where we raised money for drought-affected communities. From year to year, there is fundraising in response to the needs of the local community, or raising awareness of a global issue.
TERM 4
Catholic Mission – global support
Mission Fun Day is organised and run by the Mini Vinnies team. On Mission Fun Day we have a whole school liturgy, and then Mini Vinnies runs a variety of activities allowing students to donate or participate. It is a fantastic day that all the children look forward to each year.