We have just hosted a Christmas tea party for several groups of elderly residents, run entirely by our Princes Trust XL Year 11 group. This small band of students prepared sandwiches and foods; they organised tables and chairs, decorations, trees, music, crackers, Christmas hats. They put together hampers with food and other items brought in from every single form group - and then they decorated the hampers. They organised for a concert to be played. Other students became so excited by the activity that they volunteered to come and help.
The response from our 40 or so visitors was overwhelming. They were brimming over with praise for the students' politeness, kindness and hard work in putting this together. Some were open: "These students are nothing like we imagined the young people to be like - they are wonderful". One particularly solicitous young man from Year 7 was hugged by some of the visitors: "Ooh, I would love to take him home", pleaded one! Our visitors were also very impressed at the concert entertainment: one with a background in music and theatre spent time talking to and advising our Year 8 pianist; another told me that the Year 11 solo singer definitely had the 'X' factor and she would be watching for her to succeed. 
When I addressed our guests briefly, I told them how proud I was of our students for their commitment and enthusiasm to the project, and what a difference this had made to them and, hopefully, our visitors. I cannot finish without thanking the staff who supported the children: Ms Staples, who runs the XL group, the canteen staff led by Sarah Hoitt, and the office staff led by Emel Hall. Also, our trusty local Safer Neighbourhood Team who supported us whole heartedly and joined in with shifting, carrying, chatting and spectating. Oh, and Dr Paul Rinne, who came down to discover that one of our visitors was an ex Shene School teacher who had worked with him 25 years ago, which was very touching for both.
A very merry Christmas to you all!
No comments:
Post a Comment