Flintshire school hopes to spread some festive cheer to children in need

Following on from its successful Christmas appeal for Flintshire Foodbank, students and staff at Argoed High School have been participating in activities to raise money and provide gifts for less fortunate children this festive period, as well as engaging in a special celebration and a fun Secret Santa.

Getting things off to a great start was a Cosy Day in support of Children In Need. Students and staff contributed £1 for wearing their pyjamas, a onesie, something cosy, or bringing in a blanket, and raised almost £473 for the charity.

The school’s annual Christmas Jumper Day raised a further £203 for Save the Children, with a delicious Christmas dinner on offer in the canteen on the same day.

Sheron Goodwin, Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) teacher and head of year 8, organised the Christmas Shoe Box Appeal 2023 which has been a tradition at the school for over 25 years.

After a whole school assembly to launch the appeal, form tutors worked with their tutor group to assemble the shoe boxes during their break and dinner times.

As in previous years, the shoeboxes are heading to the local charity, Teams4u, who will collect and arrange transportation to Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia, and Romania where they will be distributed to vulnerable children or families through schools, nurseries, hospitals, and orphanages.

Mrs Goodwin also ran a Christmas Tree Competition, and this year’s theme was ‘hope.’ Form tutors collaborated with their tutor group during registration time to explore the meaning of hope, and students then worked together to create their group’s Christmas tree. Mrs Goodwin judged the Christmas trees, and prizes were awarded to the top four.

Students from years 8 to 11 have also been showcasing their creative skills in the ever-popular after-school craft club. Over the last few weeks, activities have been Christmas-themed, culminating in a gingerbread decorating Christmas party.

Mrs Goodwin said: “It has certainly been a busy end to the year with so many different projects and activities taking place, but it is wonderful to see the students so happy to be involved and wanting to help. We would like to thank everyone for their generosity and support once again this year, it is so much appreciated.”