An essential part of the Catholic faith, the key values of Catholic Social Teaching are found at the core of the Gospel. The key themes of Catholic Social Teaching are:

• Human Dignity
• Community & Participation
• Care for Creation
• Dignity in Work
• Option for the Poor
• Solidarity & Peace

The children, staff, parents and all involved in the community of St Vincent's are here to serve.

"Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world.

Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good.

Yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people."

St Theresa of Avila

Our first drive towards the Common Good of this academic year was on on our school's feast day, 27th September 2019. On the feast of St Vincent de Paul, we recognised those locally and nationally who are homeless. We raised money for our local Acton Homeless Concern as well as Mission Together. The Mini Vinnies and School Council worked together to raise awareness of these charities and organised the day. See their presentation to the whole school attached.

2018-2019

Homeless Day 2019 in aid of the Domino Foundation, South Africa

Our Lenten charities raised money for the Catholic Children's Society and The Passage. Our children came up with the idea of an Easter Fair and organised the event along with support from staff, parents and the PTA.

#Catholiclife #Commongood

Mary's Meals

Our Advent Charity was Mary’s Meals. Mary’s Meals provides meals for hungry children who are in schools within some of the poorest countries. We supported the charity through the Backpack Project. The project is a way to help the children get the best out of their learning. 

Solving Kids' Cancer 

Macmillan Coffee Morning 

Emmaus House / Acton Homeless Concern

CAFOD- Brighten Up Day

Michael Flanders Dementia Centre

2017-2018

Emmaus House

This harvest we have been collecting dry food for our local charity, Emmaus House. Emmaus house provide advice and support for those who need shelter and hope. As Catholics it is important for us to be like Jesus and help those who are less fortunate. It is wonderful to see our school come together as a community and be Good Samaritans. Here is a picture to show how thoughtful and caring you have all been to our wider community. 

CAFOD- Brighten Up Day

Harvest Fast Day was a special day where our school did some incredible fundraising to help a community in El Salvador grow their way out of poverty. Millions of families around the world do not have enough food and children miss out on school. Our support has helping to change this. Our school raised and incredible £439.70. Here is a breakdown of the impact this money can have on a family:

• £1 buys one week's attendance at a children's club, safe from gang violence.
• £38 gives a family grains, vegetables, organic manure and livestock to start a farm 
• £105 buys chickens and materials to start a family business.​

Here are some pictures from our exciting day of fundraising!

Operation Christmas Child 

This Autumn term we have been raising money for Operation Christmas Child. This is a wonderful charity that helps children across the world who have never received at Christmas present. It is amazing to see what impact just a small shoe box can have on a child's life. This small gift reaches a community at offers eternal love, hope and joy. It is by follow Christ that we can be a part of change across the world. As a school we collected 233 boxes and in turn have changed 233 lives. This is something we should be truly proud of. We thank you all for your kind donations and the time you put aside with your children to offer such kindness. Here are some pictures to show you just how successful we really were. 

Michael Flanders Dementia Centre

This year the Mini Vinnie's have been visiting the Michael Flanders Centre each week. The Michael Flanders Resource centre provides day opportunities for individuals over the age of 65 who have been assessed by Ealing Council as having critical or substantial needs. The aim of the centre is to enable older people with substantial and critical needs to remain living in their own homes by supporting them with a variety of day opportunities tailored to their individual need in a dignified manner. As a school it has been a pleasure to work with such a caring and supportive centre. The children have thoroughly enjoyed building relationships with the customers through Reminiscent Groups and Pottery. The centre and St Vincent's have also had the opportunity to join in an amazing project with Gunnersbury Museum. As part of this project the children have been designing a memory quilt and tiles to surround it, which will then be displayed within the Museum. 

Here are some photos of the children reminiscing with the customers on their own personal experiences. The children were asked to discuss and draw their customers memories.

2016-2017

And Jesus said, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

                                                                                                                     Matthew 4:19

St Vincent's 'Big Fish Day' for CAFOD

“Lent is a favourable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ."

– Pope Francis’ message for Lent 2017

Lent Appeal 2017: Florence and the little fish

Florence is 41 and lives in northern Zambia. When her husband died in a mining accident, she struggled to make a living.

Thanks to donations like yours, CAFOD's partner in the area, the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, gave Florence tiny fish - the size of your thumb. They also taught her to build fish ponds and care for the growing fishes – providing a way for her to help herself and her family.

“I thought, ‘I’m determined to do this,’” says Florence. “When I came back from the training, I wanted to help my neighbours as they had helped me in the past. I thought if they were empowered, they would benefit too.”

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." 

                                                                                                      Matthew 5: 14-15

"Whatsover you do for the least of my brothers, you do it for me." 

                                                                                                   Matthew 25: 40 - 45

"And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

                                                                                                                      John 13:35-35