🐯Wild About Kindness🐯

We have just finished celebrating in our annual Charity and Empathy Week. This year's theme, "Wild About Kindness", encouraged the children to think about empathy, kindness, and how we can all play a role in protecting the natural world.

We were proud to support the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and learn about the challenges facing one of the world's most iconic endangered animals – the tiger.

Throughout the week, the children took part in a range of activities designed to help them understand empathy and develop their awareness of others. We began by exploring what empathy means and how we can try to understand how other people might be feeling. The children worked together to create a kindness chain, with each link representing a way they could make someone happy. This colourful display now hangs proudly above our library entrance as a reminder of the power of small acts of kindness.

As the week progressed, the children learned fascinating facts about tigers and discovered why these magnificent animals are endangered. Through stories, discussions and activities, they began to understand why organisations such as the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation work so hard to protect wildlife and their habitats.

One of the highlights of the week was our fantastic Heads and Tails Tiger Competition. Children were challenged to create a tiger head and matching tail using a variety of materials, with a special focus on creativity and sustainability. The response was incredible. The quality of the entries was outstanding. Staff were genuinely blown away by the imagination, effort and craftsmanship on display. From cleverly camouflaged tigers to hilarious tiger faces and inventive creations made from recycled materials, the school was transformed into a vibrant jungle of tiger-themed artwork. Thank you to all the children and families who embraced the challenge so enthusiastically.

We were also delighted to welcome Year 10 students from Duke of Kent School, who joined us to help create crafts and treats for our Tiger Tea Party. The children worked together to make bookmarks, keyrings and delicious tiger-themed goodies, while learning the importance of teamwork and helping others.

Our Forest School session provided another opportunity to develop empathy and trust. Children worked with a buddy, guiding them safely to a chosen tree while blindfolded. This simple but powerful activity encouraged clear communication, patience and understanding.

The week concluded with our Go Orange Day, when children arrived wearing orange clothing and tiger stripes to show their support for the charity. We were fortunate to hear from two representatives of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, who delivered an engaging presentation about tigers and conservation. The celebrations continued after school with our Tiger Tea Party, where families enjoyed refreshments and had the opportunity to purchase the children's handmade crafts. Thanks to the generosity of our school community, we raised £139 for the charity while having great fun together.

In addition to our charity celebrations, we would also like to extend a huge thank you to the team of dedicated parents who organised this year's Peaslake Open Gardens event in support of the Peaslake Schools Trust. The event was a tremendous success, with local garden owners generously opening their beautiful gardens to visitors from near and far. We are incredibly grateful to all the garden owners, volunteers and visitors whose support helped make the day so enjoyable. Events such as these highlight the strength of our wonderful village community and the commitment so many people show towards supporting our school.

As we look ahead to the final weeks of the school year, we would like to thank everyone for their continued support and involvement in school life. Together, we continue to create memorable experiences and opportunities for our children.