As part of our ongoing commitment to service at St Bede’s College, we have again formed a dedicated Youth Vinnies group to lead our outreach activities throughout the year.

This group consists of enthusiastic students, teachers, and staff members who work together to organise and participate in various projects that align with the values of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Our first activity for 2025 was to attend the Commissioning Mass along with hundreds of fellow Youth Vinnies from across our Canterbury Catholic schools. At this special mass, led by Bishop Michael, students, teachers, and staff came together to reflect on the values of compassion and charity that are at the heart of the St Vincent de Paul Society's work. 

One of our most important projects for the year is once again packing food parcels for families in our local communities experiencing financial hardship. As part of this initiative, our school community will collect non-perishable food items to pack into parcels, which will then be distributed to local families through the St Vincent de Paul Society. 

As winter approaches, the team will also be organising a drive to collect winter woolies - such as coats, gloves, scarves, and blankets - for those experiencing homelessness or cold homes. The winter months can be especially tough for individuals and families and our school is eager to make sure that as many people as possible are kept warm and safe during the colder months. This drive not only provides essential items but also encourages our students to think about the challenges faced by others and to reflect on the importance of sharing their blessings.

By participating in projects such as food parcel distributions and winter woolies collections, our students not only learn about the struggles faced by others but also experience the feeling that comes from giving. These hands-on service activities create opportunities for students to connect with their community, deepen their understanding of social justice issues, and build a lifelong commitment to making the world a better place.

At St Bede’s we believe that our faith is made real through action.

As we continue our journey with St. Vincent de Paul, we are excited to see how our school community will come together to support those in need and make an impact on the lives of others.