Hymers College pupils spread community Christmas cheer

Pupils from Hymers College have been giving back to the local community by spreading festive joy in a range of activities and events.

We educate pupils from the age of three at Hymers Hessle Mount, through to 18 at our Sixth Form, and every year group has been involved over recent weeks.

Reception pupils from Hymers Hessle Mount, aged four and five, put on a special performance of songs from their nativity for elderly residents at nearby Tranby Park Care Home.

About 30 residents, along with family members and staff, were treated to the show by 23 children.

Andy Copeland, Head of Hymers Hessle Mount, said: “We talk to our children about kindness and looking after each other, and we also want to extend that outside of the school.

“Some people living in a care home might not be able to go and celebrate with their family, or go out and enjoy a pantomime at Christmas, and it’s about teaching the children that not everyone is as lucky as they are.

“It’s really important to us to spread a bit of Christmas cheer, and hopefully lift the spirits of some people. It’s wonderful to be able to put smiles on people’s faces, especially at this time of year.”

Following the performance, the pupils were given a Christmas goodie bag to thank them for their efforts.

It is the second year running children from Hymers Hessle Mount have visited the care home, after it proved hugely popular last year. They also put on Easter shows for residents.

Care Home Manager Emma Medici said: “The residents absolutely love it. They talked about the Christmas performance for weeks afterwards last year, and I’m sure it will be the same this time.

“It lifts the residents’ spirits, and it also brings back memories for them of attending their own children’s and grandchildren’s nativity shows, which is really nice.

“I would just like to say thank you to the school – it’s absolutely amazing what they do.”

Year 2 Hymers Hessle Mount pupils also exchanged Secret Santa gifts with residents at the Hessle care home.

Our other community and charitable activities have included Sixth Formers delivering food parcels to people in need in the local area, the annual Mission Christmas Toy Appeal and a Senior School Jolly Jumper Day.

Denis Thompson, Director of Co-Curricular Activities at Hymers College, said: “Supporting our local community is an important part of our values.

“Our community and charity support are very much embedded in what we do, and it’s particularly busy at this time of year.

“The pupils all get a huge amount from it. It helps their awareness of people in the community who have profound needs, and it also gives them the confidence to go into different settings and mix with new people.

“But the main reason we do it is to give something back, which matters to all of us here at Hymers.”