West Norfolk school children spread Christmas Cheer
Last updated 22nd Dec 2020
Children at two West Norfolk schools have been doing their bit to spread some seasonal cheer.
Year 7 pupils at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton took time out from their own Christmas countdown to put a smile on the face of local care home residents by creating a video of Christmas jokes, group singing and poetry reading, as well as providing gifts and cards.
The scheme was part of the Times Educational Supplement's nationwide #Classroomstocarehomes project.
Deputy Head Sarah Robinson said:
"It was a positive project for our Year 7s, they really engaged with it and wrote some really thoughtful comments and messages.
"It's helped them to understand more about loneliness at this time of year, particularly this year."
Last week, a group of students from Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, along with the school's pastoral manager Julie Bowyer and Year 7 tutor Angus Duncan, delivered the gifts, to the delight of care home staff and residents.
Mrs Robinson added:
"One of the homes, Somerset Villa, sent us a parcel to say how much they'd loved our messages and how much they appreciated the gifts.
"They sent the children a card in return too, so I think they really get the message of how a little gesture like that can go a long way at this time of year, and how much people value it."
Meanwhile, students and staff at St Clement's High School in King's Lynn have done their bit by after collecting and distributing gifts in the run-up to Christmas.
Year 11 pupils took the donations provided by the school body to residents of Terrington Lodge home in Terrington St Clements, some of whom are living with dementia and related conditions, to raise spirits at the end of a tough year that has hit the care home sector particularly hard.
Teachers at the school helped create dementia-friendly gifts and puzzles, and students donated their free time to help with wrapping and delivering the goods.
Social distancing regulations meant that pupils from the school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, could not hand over the presents in person, but they managed to smile and wave to the enthusiastic recipients through the windows.