One of our favourite weeks on the calendar has to be our Community Action Week. This is a time that we carve out each year where we can all come together to think about reciprocity and live out our values of ‘kindness, respect, equity and creativity.’ We care deeply about our school communities and are always looking at ways we can serve, support and engage the wider community. Below is just a snapshot of some of the things we achieved during a very busy five days:
Our schools
Collaborations of pupils, staff, families and friends across our family of schools embraced this week with a mixture of high spirits and determination and an abundance of kindness. Pupils organised a variety of food collections on behalf of food banks and school leaders made a difference by raising profiles of many charity organisations. Many children spent the week tidying up and litter picking whilst others found ways of raising funds for those in need.
Nursery pupils at Holgate Primary and Nursery illustrated, then hand delivered seaside-themed postcards with positive messages to the delighted residents at Jubilee Court care home. Their older pupils hosted a tea and coffee morning at the school for the residents and spent time with sharing stories, playing games and creating art.
Amidst all the charitable work, there are many learning opportunities for our children with tangible links to their school curriculum. Some pupils developed their communication skills and learned how to write engaging and persuasive prose to champion their charities, others learned how to craft and orate compelling speeches. They learned more about the importance of showing kindness and compassion to those who need support and the rewarding feeling that comes with giving to others. They learned about the joys and challenges of working as a team and they also learned how just a simple thought or action could transform someone’s day – whether that be in a gift of a bright flower, a handwritten note or a way of feeding the birds and protecting their environment.
We are so proud of our children and know that kindness is a golden thread that runs through our schools every day. This week is just a way of shining a spotlight on the things that matter most and a reminder that we can all do something to better the lives of others.
Our central team
The central trust team responded to bids from schools across the trust seeking support to help improve parts of their estate. Pupils at the winning schools watched on as the trust team rolled up their sleeves at Woodland View, Holgate and Robert Shaw primary schools. Many hands were set to work digging, laying, painting and planting. Trish Wilson, Support Staff Associate for Transform Trust commented “at Transform we are a family of schools. This is a great way of those based at Transform HQ to connect with schools, whilst doing some really good work that is benefiting the schools and ultimately the children.”
At Robert Shaw, headteacher Karen Coker explains, “We were extremely fortunate to have our central trust team with us for a whole day. They planted out a small desolate area of the grounds and dug a huge hole which will be transformed into a seating area for our outdoor environmental classroom.”
Similarly, children and families at Holgate Primary and Nursery, were delighted to see the efforts made at their school as the central team transformed their walkway to school. From a rather dull and drab entry to school, with a tired shed as the main focal feature, staff used a rainbow of coloured paints to brighten up the area. Now everyone can be cheered as they walk along this beautiful and vibrant walkway. The trust representatives were joined by members of the Children’s Parliament and were relieved to be given their seal of approval!
Teacher, Louise Allsop at Woodland View was equally impressed with the efforts made and the impact of the team’s work on a worn and drab area of their playground. “Outdoor play and learning are an important aspect of school life. Therefore, the brightening up of the area with colourful paints and the addition of our new ‘buddy benches’ will really benefit the children. We have built a culture of kindness at our school and the ‘Buddy Benches’ create a safe space for children who are in need – or want to show and share – kindness.”
