Two Communities, One Heart at Highcliffe School | Highcliffe School

Two Communities, One Heart at Highcliffe School

On 5th July, Highcliffe School hosted a Friendship Day with Oxford Gardens Primary School, the primary school in the shadow of Grenfell Tower.


Our Headteacher, Mr Earnshaw, responded after reading an open letter posted on social media from Headteacher Sarah Cooper, appealing for help for her staff, pupils and parents in the aftermath of the fire “to assist us in achieving our goal to make our school in North Kensington great once again.” He said “Highcliffe School’s ethos is all about using education to change the lives of our students and encouraging them to use their education to make the world a better place, so it seemed natural to respond to Sarah’s plea for support. The response from our students has been humbling and inspiring, they understand why reaching out to this community matters. 

For example, one student wrote ‘I believe that if we build a bond and friendship with the students of Oxford Gardens Primary School it will give them hope and strength and will show them they are not alone and then maybe one day they will grow and accomplish things which will make the whole world wonder, and we will have been part of that.’

Here are some more of our student ambassador quotes.

Rather than send donations of money and supplies we wanted to forge a relationship with Oxford Gardens in the longer term, not just by responding to the initial disaster but by building a relationship with them. We wanted to learn from each other and grow together as two schools. So earlier in the year our School Council visited Oxford Gardens and together the two schools decided we would organise and fundraise for their Year 6 to come to Highcliffe to experience our local community and have a good day out which we called our ‘Friendship Day’.

Both schools wanted our students and their communities to form a positive relationship as a small contribution to helping heal some of the wounds caused by the Grenfell Tower fire, and to form a lasting friendship which we will all benefit from in the future.

 

The Highcliffe School – Oxford Gardens Primary School Friendship Day was a true success. The students were given a very special day, breakfast, Go Ape, Moors Valley Play Trail,  John the Birdman, lunch, a beach experience which included buckets and spades, icecream, games in and out of the water, experiencing life saving surf boards and supper.  They left tired and happy with commemorative T shirt, a goody bag which contained key ring, teddy, pen, ruler, book and a photo to remember the day. The day has given both students from Oxford Gardens Primary School and Highcliffe School many memories which will last a lifetime.

One of the quotes of the day was “this day is even better than Legoland”.

Our Friendship Day has been completely funded by our own students and parents fundraising as well as by the generosity of local businesses. Below is a list of all of those who we would like to say a massive thank you to, as without your help our Friendship Day would not have been possible.

Our students and parents - for donating money to make it all possible

Solent Coaches/Lucketts - https://www.solentcoaches.co.uk/

Marks and Spencer Christchurch -  https://www.marksandspencer.com/

Tesco Express Highcliffe – https://www.tesco.com/

Sainsbury’s Christchurch - https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/

Taylor Shaw - https://taylorshaw.com/

Daniels Fish and Chips Highcliffe – http://www.danielsfishandchips.co.uk/highcliffe.html

The Beach Hut Steamer Point – http://www.beachhutcafe.co.uk/

BH1 Promotions – https://www.bh1promotions.co.uk/

Colour Copier Highcliffe – http://www.colourcopier.net/

Moors Valley and Go Ape – https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/

Hawks in the Forest - https://www.hawksintheforest.co.uk/contact-us

Christchurch Life Saving Club, Friars Cliff – https://www.christchurchlifesavingclub.org.uk/

Sydney Bunce Limited Bournemouth – http://www.sydneybunce.co.uk/

G&T’s Highcliffe – https://www.gt-originalwarehouse.com/about-us/

Signs of Distinction – http://www.signsdorset.com/

Discount Sticker printing – http://www.discountstickerprinting.co.uk/adhesive-stickers-labels/gloss-stickers.html

 

 

 

 

"Just to say a huge heartfelt thanks to you and your entire community for making yesterday so very special for all the young people at Oxford Gardens. They all had such a beautiful day filled with new memories that will always flood their hearts and minds with happiness. We really can’t thank you enough and hope that our communities will continue to build on our special unity."

The children have not stopped talking about it and honestly I think they will remember it for the rest of their lives. I know it must have taken an enormous amount of organisation so I wanted to really thank you and your staff again. The children were also absolutely amazing! We really look forward to working with you in the future and creating an even more special relationship between our two schools.

- Oxford Gardens Primary School


    Owned by: PEW | Last Published: 09/07/2018 08:16:07 | Next Update: n/a


In This Section

Download

Prospectus



Download