At St Richard’s we place high emphasis on nurturing pupil leadership as we recognise that experiences of leadership play a pivotal role in equipping students with the skills they need to be successful citizens later in life. Through pupil leadership opportunities we actively encourage our pupils to ‘find their voice’. We ensure that the children’s thoughts, feelings, views and opinions shape both their learning experiences and the wider opportunities we offer at St Richard’s. This helps our pupils to develop the school’s core values in a meaningful way, promoting a sense of belonging and pride.

This year more pupils than ever have wished to take up pupil leadership roles and help shape the experiences of all pupils at St Richard’s.

Hall Assistants

Mrs Cook would be lost without the Hall Monitors, they have the very important job of preparing the hall for the many events that take place each week, such as Acts of Worship, Merit Assembly, Hymn singing, Masses, Liturgies, Showcase events. This dedicated group take their role very seriously and health and safety always comes first! Proudly wearing their smart, navy blue high-viz vests, they are efficient and effective, working as a team to complete the job to a very high standard.

Corridor Monitors

These reliable pupils take responsibility for ensuring that the high expectation we have a St Richard's for 'Green Behaviour' and 'Green Walking' are maintained as pupils leave the classroom and make their way through the corridors to Act of Worship, Merit and other whole school events. Highly visible in their red high-viz vests, these pupils are stationed around the school as shining role-models for each class, giving quiet reminders and polite gestures if required.

The Digital leaders have crucial roles and responsibilities at St Richard's. Digital leaders are in charge of making sure that the Chromebooks are being used correctly and are always on charge ready for the next class to use. Working alongside Miss Robinson and Mrs Griffin, our reliable Digital Leaders also have the vital role of helping to educate, and keep everyone else up to date, regarding E-safety and how we can all stay safe when browsing the internet.

The Digital Leaders are often asked to go into a classroom to support the classroom teacher and children with their computing lessons. The digital leaders also pass on their E-safety knowledge to everyone at St Richards through events such as E-safety day and Odd socks Day.

Meet our inquisitive Time Traveller Ambassadors who inspire their classmates to love history through their passion for learning about the past. Ensuring historical knowledge has a presence throughout the year, they are also the perfect tour guides, leading many visitors on our St Richard’s Heritage Trail.

Sharing their love of History, this knowledgeable team support our History Lead, Miss Seddon, and class teachers in planning and preparing our popular, annual ‘Time Traveller Showcase’ for parents, taking on the role of an expert.

Our librarians play a vital part in our school’s mission to raise the profile of reading for all. They work tirelessly to promote a love of reading. Chosen for their excellent organisation skills and attention to detail, our librarians duties include organising the library timetable, tidying the stunning reading area in the foyer, keeping up to date with the latest book releases and replenishing the library for all children to use in school.

Our Mini Vinnies help to lead their peers in supporting the charitable life of our school. Following in the footsteps of St Vincent de Paul, the children look for opportunities to put concern into action by promoting weekly ‘Acts of Kindness’ linked to the Gospel, and planning & leading fundraising activities to help those in need.

On 17th November, our Mini Vinnies joined other teams from across the trust to share in a ‘Formation Day’. This provided them with a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the role of Mini Vinnies in our schools. They learnt about the lives of St. Vincent de Paul, Rosalie Rendu and Frederic Ozanam. Then, using prayer, scripture, song and games, explored how ‘kindness is the key to hearts’.

Part of the Role of our Mini-Vinnies is to lead the school in caring for our common home as Pope Francis tells us to in his letter, “Laudato Si”. This involves working to improve our school’s impact on the planet through simple acts such as reminding our friends and teachers to switch off lights and electrical appliances, finding ways to reduce our use and wastage of paper and finding other ways to only use what we need. This considerate group are also working towards attaining the “live simply” award for the school this year.

Like Martin de Tours, the first chaplain, our Junior Chaplains help to support the Catholic Life of our school by sharing God’s Word in liturgies and Masses; notably supporting their peers in planning and leading class liturgies, leading prayer clubs & monitoring sacred spaces.

On November 10th, our Junior Chaplains joined other teams from across the trust to share in a ‘Commissioning Day’. This provided them with a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the role of junior chaplaincy in our schools. Then, using prayer, scripture, song and games, they explored the qualities they would need to be the ‘hands and feet’ of Christ before they were sent out into the world to do His work.