Pupils have been getting into the festive spirit by taking part in a series of charitable endeavours and acts of kindness and compassion this December.
Pupils have been spreading seasonal happiness and cheer at school, at home and across the local community with a daily ‘Do Good December’ calendar challenge. It is similar to a traditional advent calendar but each day the children open the calendar and find a positive message or activity they can carry out such as ‘Give kind comments to as many people as possible today’, ‘Share a happy memory or inspiring thought with someone’, ‘Do something helpful for a friend or family member’. As part of their daily good deeds, the pupils have spread festive cheer by supporting homeless charity Hope House, holding a winter fair for families, and performing at St Clement’s Church.
On Wednesday 12 December, the children raised almost £200 by wearing their festive jumpers to school in aid of Hope House, a shelter for the homeless on Wood Street, Bradford.
At the school’s Winter Fair, children hosted fun-filled stalls such as face-painting, henna hand painting and games, and even had a special visit from the man of the moment himself – Father Christmas. It raised more than £400, which the school will invest in books for its new library.
Members of the school were also on song when they performed at St Clement’s Church.
The charity and goodwill drive forms part of the school’s Festive Winter Gift Programme each December during which pupils are taking part in fundraising activities, donating gifts to people in need of support and giving their time volunteering to demonstrate their contributions to the wider community through charitable actions.
Principal Ann Winter said:
“Through our annual Festive Winter Gift Programme, we aim to encourage our pupils to think of others at this busy time of year when many people are celebrating with their families. Hope House is doing incredible work to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society. I am overwhelmed by the response of our school community. We are very proud of our pupils and the way they have shown real kindness to each other and the wider community.”
FESTIVE FUN: pupils at Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy have been wearing winter woollies and hosting a winter fair for charity
