As a Catholic Society of young people we are humbly inspired by the words of Frederic Ozanam, Founder of the SVP Society, who said:

“In my life I want to become better and do a little good”

Visitation

In 2003 we set up the first school conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in SPGS. It began with a membership of 40 students. Most of them were involved in the weekly visitation to a local Nursing Home. This weekly duty has been kept by our students every academic year since. As well as that, the Society has grown to address many different areas of charitable life, both in the local and international communities. 

School Conferences

We attend the National Schools’ Conference on an annual basis as well as local conferences organised. Last year we hosted the local conference, with groups from three other schools attending. (St. Colman’s College, Newry, St. Paul’s High School, Bessbrook and St. Catherine’s College, Armagh).   

Hampers

Every year we coordinate the Christmas Hamper Appeal. These hampers are collected by the local conference of SVP in Armagh and distributed to local families. This whole school appeal continues to grow and develop, with students and their families donating generously.

Junior Members

Whilst the Society is predominantly made up of students from Years 13 and 14 there are a number of junior students who also play an important and active role in our work. These students make a special visitation to the Nursing Home before Christmas where they present a short festive drama, recite poetry and play music. They also take up the duty of visitation from the seniors when the latter are preparing for their public exams.

Sponsor a Child

Our members felt that they wanted to commit some time and energy to an international project also. In 2005, therefore, we decided to sponsor a child in Niger, through World Vision. This project is open to involvement from students in all years. Many teachers are also part of this scheme. Such was the success of this project that, the following year, we began to sponsor a second child in the same town. This means that any extra money we make through fundraising can be donated to the community of both those children.

Fundraising

In recent years students have worked hard to raise funds for the work of the Society by Bag Packing at a local supermarket, helping to organise Coffee Mornings and running the Belfast Marathon.

Reflection

As a Christian Society we are mindful of the importance of prayer in our work. We also meet as a group at the beginning of term and at the end of year for a Prayer Service. In the past some members of the local conference have joined us for this morning of reflection.  

Leadership

At the beginning of the academic year, senior students are elected to various roles of responsibility in the Society. These are the roles of President, Vice-President and Secretary. These students assume the task of coordinating different areas of the Society’s work, depending on their area of interest and meet with the teacher responsible on a weekly basis.

Recognition

Since the inception of our conference, we have seen exemplary leadership and admirable dependability which, coupled with each individual’s creativity, has brought an ever-changing dynamic to our group. This dedication is recognised annually at Senior Prize giving, where one student is awarded the Henry Murray Cup for outstanding contribution to the work of the charity.

As a group we look forward to the future with hope and commit ourselves to work to promote the values of the founders and patrons of this charitable organisation.

Click here to see photos of our boys at work