A dedicated group of our Young Vinnies leaders was recently recognised for their tireless service to the poor and less fortunate in our community

A dedicated group of our Young Vinnies leaders was recently recognised for their tireless service to the poor and less fortunate in our community. On Tuesday 16 September they were awarded certificates by Young Vinnies Youth Practitioner Jackson Barker in a ceremony celebrating their commitment and hard work.

This year, our leaders have once again championed a number of important initiatives. Their efforts included successful school-wide can collections for both the local community and De Paul House, consistent attendance at Eddy's Meals on the first Friday of every month, and the thoughtful preparation of meals for families in need through the Travelling Pots project. They also successfully ran a homework club, providing invaluable assistance to our students needing extra help.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that the Homework Club will be expanded from 2026 to assist our International Students, with a special focus on Catholic Character and Religious Studies. This initiative will help them feel more at home at Rosmini. Jairus Joseph is currently developing a rostering system for the new initiative, and we will be inviting Young Vinnies from each cohort to participate.

Our school is truly blessed to have such young people. These leaders unselfishly serve others, always with a smile on their faces and with an unwavering belief that nothing is too much effort. As Catholic Character Leaders in our school, they live and practice their faith daily, embodying the spirit of service and compassion.

At the AVSSC Feast Day Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 28 September, our leaders will be recognised for their leadership throughout this year. AVSSC stands for Auckland Vinnies Secondary Schools Council. It is a committee for student leaders from various high schools in Auckland, New Zealand, who gather to develop their leadership skills, learn about the Vinnies (Saint Vincent de Paul) organisation's values, and participate in activities and reflections related to trust, faith, and serving their communities. Our students have certainly heeded the call to stand up and serve!

Lynne Van Wyk