South Shore pupils send messages of support for youngsters missing out on school visits during pandemic

Staff and pupils at Highfield Leadership Academy have created a special ‘Keeping in Touch’ programme to make sure current Year 6 pupils who will be starting at the South Shore school in September feel wanted.

This has seen them sending little messages of support and gifts to the 11 year olds to make sure they feel welcome before the big move to high school. Among them are pots filled with treats, stationery and relaxation aids and also well being postcards with messages from existing pupils.

Staff and pupils have also been establishing contact by sending video ‘snippets’ which give brief subject overviews to the soon-to-be new pupils and the head of Year 7 hosts a weekly ‘Snippet Session’ to answer questions or concerns from the primary school children.

Normally the new intake would get a chance to go into school this term to get a feel for the building and meet their new teachers and classmates.

Highfield principal Andrew Galbraith, said: "I am incredibly proud of the efforts made by our pupils and staff and the care they have shown to these Year 6 pupils.

"Our school has a thriving sense of community and this project demonstrates our commitment to prospective pupils. We want everyone to feel welcome and lessen any sense of anxiety that these pupils might be feeling during these challenging times."

He added: “We would encourage any prospective pupil who would like to talk about their move to secondary school to get in touch."

The project is part of the Bill’s Be Your Best campaign which was established to create a culture of kindness and respect in the school.

The school is part of the Star Academies group and ‘Keeping in Touch’ campaign is just one of several initiatives by the group to help those facing difficulties in o local communities and to support parents and carers throughout the country.

A home learning helpline, StarLine, has been set up to help give practical education advice to parents and carers and a YouTube broadcast StarLive is broadcast weekly to help parents as they educate their children at home.

For more information about Star Academies’ appeal and the charity pledges it has made to its pupils, parents, staff and school communities, visit www.starcoronavirusappeal.org.

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