Enterprising sixth formers have raised more than £2,000 for charity after holding Derby Cathedral School’s first ever Christmas market.
Around 150 teenagers in year 12 at the secondary on Great Northern Road – part of Derby Diocesan Academy Trust – organised the whole school event which saw every pupil taking part in a wide range of festive fun.
Sixth formers were given entire responsibility for organising the event as part of their application process for the Archbishop’s Young Leaders Award, a national character and leadership education programme for UK schools run by the Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust.
Young organisers spent months planning the Christmas market, coming up with all the activities and marketing themselves.
Every year group was given time away from lessons to come and enjoy a grand total of 35 stalls taking place in several of the school’s large reception areas including goal shooting; Tin Pan Alley, Snowball Mayhem, Mario Carts and Knock the Elf of the Shelf.
Students had gone all out on their festive bakes for the event and there were myriad food and drink stalls including bubble tea, muffins, hot chocolate and even non-alcoholic mojitos.
To ensure the event was accessible, the school gave each pupil a free ticket with the option of paying 50p for more tickets should they wish.
Sixth form student Agnese Feierabende, 17, was part of a team who organised an ‘Eye Spy’ matching game involving guessing a teacher’s identity from photos just of their eyes.
Agnese, who is studying for A-levels in maths, geography and art, said: “We have all got into groups and made everything ourselves. It’s the first time the school has done something like this. The pupils at the school know that this is for charity – and when we told them it was for charity lots of people wanted to join in.
“There’s a stall for everyone and everyone in school gets something to make them feel happy. I know a lot of students have been excited for this and it’s a bit of a treat for everyone, as well as the people who are getting the charity aid – so it’s a win win situation for everyone!”
Headteacher Andrew Brown said the Christmas market was a perfect end to the term, giving all pupils the opportunity for some festive joy.
He said: “At Derby Cathedral School our vision is to create an atmosphere of rigour and joy and we try to deliver joyful moments in the school calendar whenever we have the opportunity.
“This is the first time ever we’ve done a Christmas market for the whole school to access and the idea behind this is to bring some happiness and get into the Christmas spirit.
“Our sixth form is one of the biggest and best in Derby and our sixth formers are role models of what we want our school to be. This is giving them experience for their next steps and it’s a lovely thing to be part of.”
Rae Whitehouse, personal development lead at Derby Cathedral School sixth form, said every pupil in year 12 was being put forward for the Archbishop’s Young Leaders Award for the first time.
She said: “This market is the first group test for these young people where they have had to plan it, organise it and deliver it and later, reflect on it as groups and individuals.
“They have gone out and baked so many different foods and cakes – they have not just bought things from a shop. They have made things and put their heart into it.
“I’m incredibly impressed with the commitment and creativity they have come up with, and with the amount of time they have spent preparing this. They are great role models in this school. They really display all the qualities we want sixth form students to show – and they are willing to dress up, be silly and laugh at themselves too!”
The event made £2,257 for Ashbourne Playaway charity and to support Derby Cathedral School’s vulnerable families.
Dr Sarah Clark, chief executive officer of Derby Diocesan Academy Trust, said: “It’s wonderful to see every pupil at Derby Cathedral School get into the Christmas spirit with their first ever festive market. The year 12 students deserve many congratulations for putting on what was clearly a very successful event. They have done a brilliant job and raised a lot of money for charity too.”
This story was written and shared on behalf of Derby Diocesan Academy Trust by Lucy Stephens. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
