The Common Good, as described by Pope John XXIII, is the "sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their full fulfilment."

As Catholics, we are called to love God and our neighbour, especially those most in need. At St Mary's, we encourage our children to follow in the footsteps of Christ by serving others and making a positive difference in the world around them.

Children take on a range of leadership and service roles, including House Captains, Minnie Vinnies, Prayer Leaders, Eco-Leaders, Play Leaders, School Councillors, Art Ambassadors and Librarians. Through these roles, and through local, national and global charitable initiatives, they develop compassion, responsibility and a commitment to the common good.

By putting their faith into action, our children learn that even small acts of kindness can make a real difference to the lives of others.

In 2026-2027, we will again support a range of charities:

Charitable Outreach 2025-2026

Local Charity Work

Each autumn, our whole school community comes together to celebrate Harvest. Families donate food and essential items, which are distributed to several local food banks, including St Ann's Church (N15), CARIS Haringey (N15), St Peter-in-Chains Soup Kitchen (N4), as well as our own school food bank.

In October and November, our Mini Vinnies organised a coat collection for Wrap Up London, a charity supporting people experiencing homelessness. Families donated coats, which pupils helped to sort before they were collected by the charity. More than 50 coats were donated through this initiative.

The Mini Vinnies hosted an Easter Parade and Easter Egg Raffle to raise funds for our Parents and Friends Association (PFA), helping to support enrichment opportunities for our children.

The Mini Vinnies also organised an International Day celebration to raise funds for our Prayer Garden. The money raised enabled us to purchase a beautiful statue of Mary, creating a lasting space for prayer and reflection within our school community.

National Charity Work

Throughout the year, the Mini Vinnies organise and lead a range of fundraising events, including CAFOD's Brighten Up Day, Red for St Valentine's Day, the Big Lent Walk, as well as bake sales and ice-lolly sales.

Through these initiatives, they raised:

• £351.48 for Mary's Meals, supporting the provision of daily nutritious meals for children in some of the world's poorest communities.
• £50 for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child, helping to provide personalised gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world.
• £510.85 for CAFOD, supporting communities affected by poverty, conflict and climate emergencies across the globe.

In addition, our school community hosts an annual Macmillan Coffee Morning each September. In 2025, we raised £30 for Macmillan Cancer Support. We also support the Catholic Children's Society through participation in its annual Carol Service, helping to raise awareness and funds for families experiencing financial hardship.

Throughout the year, the school further supports a range of charitable initiatives, including Show Racism the Red Card's Wear Red Day, Children in Need, and other campaigns that promote dignity, compassion and the common good.