Students spread festive cheer

HUNDREDS of Ripon Grammar School students are sending colourful messages of festive cheer to elderly residents in the city’s care homes.

Year 9 pupils are hoping to spread a little joy and laughter by creating hand-made cards and sharing poems, drawings, jokes, riddles and stories about their own festive celebrations.

Helen Mars, head of PSHE (personal, social health and economic studies) at RGS said the school was very proud to take part.

“We hope that by writing letters to residents in our local care homes, we can spread a little Christmas joy, and cheer up some residents by letting them know our school community cares for them.

"It's such a great way to end the term in our form time, with pupils sharing news about some of the fun things they are going to be doing at Christmas.

She added: "Pupils in the lower school have been thinking this term in their PSHE lessons about gratitude, communities and loneliness, and this is one really positive way to think about how we can show real care for elderly and disabled people in our local community. 

"It has been lovely to hear how enthusiastic pupils have been about writing their letters, and to see the care they have taken over their drawings and designs.”

Students will be writing to residents in care homes throughout the city, including Long Meadow Care Home, Sycamore Hall Care Home, The Coach House Nursing Home and the Moors Care Centre.