At St Joseph’s, we are excited to introduce to you our Pupil Leadership Teams, which encourage our students to take on meaningful roles in both our school and the wider community. The team is made up of four key groups: the GIFT Team, Laudato Si Ambassadors, School Council, and Sports Leaders. Guided by the words from Proverbs 11:25, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed,” these groups work collaboratively to uphold our school’s values. Through their efforts, they aim to make a positive difference locally and globally, embracing the principles of service, leadership, and care for the environment as part of our Catholic ethos.
The GIFT Team
The GIFT Team is committed to guiding collective worship and engaging with global issues within our community. They take the lead in organising prayer services, encouraging moments of spiritual reflection, and advocating for social justice projects. By promoting awareness and empathy, the GIFT Team helps our school connect with and support those in need worldwide.
Some of the impactful activities the GIFT Team has been involved with include:
The GIFT Team 2024-2025
The Gift Team were busy this week preparing and handing out Rosary Bags to all of the classes. We are really looking forward to the children telling us about how they led their families in worship at home.
The Gift Team have been selling rosary beads to raise money to buy baby products to donate to Heywood Food Bank. Great job everyone, we are going to be delivering nappies, baby wipes and much more to families in need.
The Gift Team 2023 2024
Autumn term:
- been through the GIFT Team code of conduct and have learned the GIFT Team St. Martin of Tours prayer
- taken photos of the GIFT Team which have been displayed in the hall and placed on a power point which was delivered to all classes so that they know who is on the team
- given out timetables to support Reception and encourage children to go into the prayer garden
- chosen the Caritas award winner for Autumn 1 and presented this in the SMART pupil assembly
- sold rosary beads and raised a total of £92, which was used to purchase baby essentials that were then donated to Heywood Foodbank
- attended the Heywood Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph with the Headteacher, representing the school and laying a wreath on the school community’s behalf
Spring Term:
- given out timetables to support Reception and encourage children to go into the prayer garden
- chosen the Caritas award winner for Autumn 1, Autumn 2 and Spring 1 and presented this in the SMART pupil assembly
- Organised the school’s Advent charity work and led on the Bed for Night promotion across the classes
- Supported with reading in our whole school Masses and liturgies and helps with the preparation of the altar for the Masses in the school hall
Summer Term:
- given out timetables to support Reception and encourage children to go into the prayer garden
- chosen the Caritas award winner for Autumn 1, Autumn 2 and Spring 1 and presented this in the SMART pupil assembly
- Organised the school’s Advent charity work and led on the Bed for Night promotion across the classes
- Supported with reading in our whole school Masses and liturgies and helps with the preparation of the altar for the Masses in the school hall
- Created a new Lunchtime Let’s Pray session which is delivered every week from Tuesday to Friday. This is fully child led, being planned and organised completely independently
- Designed and made cards for our parishioners and also our FHC recipients
The Gift team run a lunchtime prayer session every Tuesday – Friday. Each session there are two members leading the prayer each day. A timetable is displayed for all of the children to see as they exit in to the playground.
The staff member who supervises the zone nearest to the Prayer Garden blows their whistle three times at 12.57 to let all of the children know that the prayer session is about to start and they can make their way over.
The sessions last around seven minutes. Teachers and support staff encourage the children to participate in these sessions.
The GIFT Team have created posters that are sent around to classes and teachers are asked to place them up in their classrooms and to talk to their class about this special opportunity to pray together.
During Advent last year, every child in our school received a candy cane to take home and pass on to a member of the community. This was their act of kindness to prepare them for Advent. The children could choose a parishioner at church, a shopkeeper, an elderly member of our community or a neighbour. We told all the children what we wanted to do in an assembly before giving the candy canes out to each class. Parents sent in photographs of the children giving their candy cane to a member of the community. Also, classes kept a tally chart of who they had given their candy canes to.
Laudato Si Ambassadors
The Laudato Si Ambassadors focus on environmental stewardship and caring for our common home, inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si’.” These students lead initiatives to promote sustainability, reduce waste, and educate their peers about the importance of looking after God’s creation. They are passionate advocates for the environment, reminding us all of our responsibility to protect and cherish the world around us.
Some of the activities the Laudato Si Ambassadors have led have included:
Playground Sports Leaders
Our Sports Leader role is very important at St Joseph’s. Year 6 pupils have to apply for the post, highlighting reasons why they believe they will be good at the job. Meetings are held with the school’s Sports Leader Mr Riley and the role and responsibilities discussed. The selected pupils then receive training from Rochdale Schools Partnership before taking up their role in school.
It is the Sports Leaders responsibility to then set up and run sports activities for our Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children at lunchtime – ensuring there is enough equipment, setting equipment up, being a referee and modelling being a good role model for all. So that our Sports Leaders are easily to spot by the younger children they come to school on the day of their sessions in their Sports Leader hoodie.
Sports Leaders can reward good behaviour that they see by informing class teachers or teaching assistants so that children can receive class rewards.
