Pupil Leadership plays a huge part of our Catholic Life and Mission at English Martyrs. 

Our pupils in Year 4, 5 and 6 get the opportunity to become a chaplain or Mini Vinnie. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect deeper with their own faith and inspire others through their actions. 

Year 4, 5 and 6 children have the opportunity to serve our school as part of the Chaplaincy Team. Anyone can apply and members will be given a special Chaplaincy badge.

The Chaplaincy Team play a vital role in the spiritual life of the school and are supported by the Headteacher and R.E. Lead.

The roles of the Chaplaincy Team include the following;

• To help the school to be a community of faith.
• To encourage the pupils to live their faith in daily living.
• To develop good relationships within and beyond the school community.
• To support Liturgy, prayer and the spiritual life of the school.
• To involve pupils in fundraising charities.
• To continue to develop strong links with the Parish and Community.
• To support the school in its Mission Statement.

The following will help us to be a successful and effective Chaplaincy Team;

• Listen to each other's ideas.
• Communicate with all team members, school and Parish.
• Encourage everyone when making decisions.
• Lead by example, love everyone, care for everyone, especially people you don't get on with.

Meetings

Our Chaplaincy Team have discussed a number of things they would like to do over the next school year. These include;

• Help to prepare whole school Collective Worship and Sing and Praise
• Check there are resources available in the prayer box to take outside
• Make sure each class has their prayer bags and that these are used in Advent and Lent
• Deliver Guided Meditation and Celebration of the Word to other classes
• Prepare for school masses
• Meet every week

Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies follow in the footsteps of Christ and St Vincent de Paul.

The Mini Vinnies are the youngest members of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), an international Christian voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms by providing practical assistance to people in need. 

The Mini Vinnies get together in primary schools and parishes across England and Wales to live out their mission of see, think, do, supporting their school community and beyond alongside the St Vincent de Paul Society. 

Mini Vinnies turn concern into action by:

• making cards for those who may be sick, isolated, lonely or in prison
• visiting local care homes to sing and share stories with residents
• creating arts and crafts to share with others
• running food collections for a local food bank
• supporting other children in their school or parish
• fundraising for the SVP and other charities
• baking for others

At English Martyrs, our Mini Vinnies lead on many aspects of our school life including our Harvest collection for Stretford Foodbank, making Christmas cards for our elderly parishioners, supporting with charity cake stalls such as our Macmillan Coffee Morning and spreading kindness around school with acts of kindness.