CHILDREN from a Derby school have created festive artwork for staff and residents at a city care home as they aim to spread a little joy after a difficult year.
Vibrant paintings of fireworks, glittery Christmas wreaths and crafty pictures made by youngsters at St Giles School – Derby’s only special primary school – have been delivered to the Douglas Court Care Home, in a bid to bring a smile to the faces of those who live there.
Usually, at this time of year, staff and pupils from St Giles School would be visiting Douglas Court to perform songs from their Christmas show.
St Giles School pupils show off their hand-crafted Christmas cards for Douglas Court Care Home.
But, due to Covid restrictions, those plans have been shelved and, instead, learning tutors Emily Deacon and Anna Young have helped children at the Ofsted-rated ‘outstanding’ city school create pictures, write letters and drawings.
“Anna and I have visited Douglas Court over the last few years with some of the pupils and both the children and residents got so much from it,” said Emily Deacon.
“As you can imagine, the residents haven’t had much contact with the outside world over the past few months and, especially now as we approach the festive period, it will be a difficult and lonely time for them all. Hopefully, we can spread a little joy with these thoughtful pieces of art and letters from the talented pupils at St Giles School.”
The pupils at St Giles created a range of vibrant Christmassy crafts.
These gifts will now go into quarantine before being hung in the care home’s communal area for everyone to enjoy.
Executive head teacher Clive Lawrence said: “The past 12 months have been challenging for our whole school community and our Christmas celebrations will be very different this year.
“We will still be performing a Christmas play; each ‘bubble’ will record their bit and we will then put it all together for a special DVD for parents and carers. There will be Christmas parties in the hall and we may even have a special visit from Father Christmas.
The Derbyshire school hopes their lovingly-made will spread some Christmas cheer following the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Whatever the occasion – be it Diwali or Armistice Day – we have continued to mark the event in a way in which pupils can enjoy their learning and thrive; we offer a broad and balance curriculum which reflects our diverse school community.”
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