Pupils at the school have been bringing the community together in acts of kindness and charitable giving over the festive season.
Caring pupils have been taking part in activities and challenges to raise funds and spread kindness as part of the school’s annual Festive Winter Gift Programme.
Christmas is a time when we especially remember those loved ones who are no longer with us. Pupils from the school’s Highfield Helpers group are supporting The Hub Craft Group create ‘In loving memory’ baubles for the local community Christmas tree. Members of the community have been encouraged to dedicate a bauble to a family member or friend.
The school’s festive charitable campaign has also seen it team up with the Streetlife charity once again. Generous pupils and staff have been donating toiletries, winter clothing and gifts which will be distributed to young people experiencing homelessness who are being supported by the charity.
Pupils and staff are also sharing messages of hope, joy and love by writing and distributing Christmas Cards across the community. Cards will be delivered to people who may be living in social isolation or spending Christmas in local nursing homes and hospitals.
Highfield Leadership Academy also joined together with other Star Academies schools to take part in ‘Food for All Week’. For one week from 6 December, staff, pupils and their families donated food items for Christmas hampers which were distributed to local community kitchens, hostels and sheltered accommodation residents. Alongside food, the hampers included Christmas cards and decorations, which were created by pupils.
On 7 and 9 December, staff and pupils worked with Amazing Graze soup kitchen to run Bill’s Kindness Kitchen, which made healthy meals for vulnerable members of the school’s local community.
Through its Festive Winter Gift Programme, the school will be extending its support to an array of other local charities. Pupils will take part in a sponsored Elf Workout to raise funds for Trinity Hospice and will wear their Christmas Jumpers in aid of Save the Children. As well as donating meals and gifts to Streetlife and Amazing Graze, the school has also pledged gift donations to adults living in local refuges.
In an extension of the school’s close partnership with Blackpool Coastal Housing, pupils will be making kindness calls to brighten up the long, dark winter days of local people who live alone. A group of pupils will be touring the town during December with a Christmas performance – featuring Christmas carols, dances and readings from the nativity story. Pupils will perform outside care homes, sheltered accommodation and day centres to spread a little festive cheer to residents.
Andrew Galbraith, Principal at Highfield Leadership Academy, said:
“Our annual Festive Winter Gift Programme not only supports the most vulnerable members of our community, but affords our pupils the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and to experience first-hand the positive impact of helping others. The programme enables our pupils to Be Their Best and live out our STAR values of Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect.”
John Donnellon, Chief Executive of Blackpool Coastal Housing, said;
“We’re extremely proud of the fantastic work Highfield Leadership Academy are continuing in our local communities. Since our partnership with the Academy began just under 3 years ago, the pupils have provided invaluable support to some of Blackpool’s elderly and more vulnerable residents to help boost confidence and combat social isolation. The initiative has gone from strength to strength, with pupils developing a strong social conscience whilst making a positive difference to the lives of others. Thank you on behalf of our communities for your cards, gifts and continued support”.