Over the last 18 months we’ve learnt that kindness counts. Pupils at Willows High School certainly put this into practice in the classroom as part of a project at the end of last term.
The Genius Hour project, led by Mr. Roberts, and in partnership with First Give – a programme that inspires and empowers young people to take action to make a positive change in society – saw groups of Year 8 pupils choose a local charity and help raise awareness of their work.
The diverse range of issues included homelessness, suicide prevention and mental health – each group contacted a charity and held a virtual meeting with their class. Some of the groups discussed their charity over Willows Waves Radio Broadcast while others chose fundraising through cake sales and a football match.
In total, the groups raised a phenomenal £400 for their chosen charities.
On the day of the final, each group was asked to present their work to a panel of judges – Mr Thomas, Assistant Headteacher, Miss. Coles-Riley, Year 8 Welfare Officer and Rhiannon from First Give.
After careful consideration and a lot of deliberating, the winners were eventually decided as Sama Al-Battat, Sahand Mohamme and Katiba Laksari – raising awareness of Boomerang.
Boomerang works with the community, those in social isolation and supporting those in critical living conditions.
Their hard work and obvious commitment to this cause clearly showed and they were rewarded with a cheque of £1,000 for the charity.
Paul Gwilym, who founded Boomerang in 2012 – and an ex Willows High School pupil – was invited to the school and presented with the prize. He said:
“I was delighted firstly that the pupils had chosen to support the project and secondly that they had won!”
The judges were also very impressed with the group representing their form, consisting of Tasnim Quayum, Humaira Rahman, Youssef El-Refaei and Chira Mohamed. Their presentation for the Jacob Abraham Foundation won them a Judges Commendation Award.
This was a tremendous project which the pupils really embraced.
A massive well done to all the pupils and their form tutors for going above and beyond to make this such a successful project.
Young people can also access a range of support and advice from qualifications to mental health, by visiting one of the following websites:
👉 https://hwb.gov.wales/zones/keeping-safe-online/support-services/confidential-support
👉 https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/supporting-teachers-and-learners-during-coronavirus/your-wellbeing
👉 https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people