A piece of schoolwork or an opportunity to give so much more?

As students returned fully refreshed from the October half term break, we posed two simple questions to our year 9s: Where is support needed in our community? How can we support community projects? From here, spiralled a half term of embodiment of 2 of our school values; kindness and compassion.

Students initially analysed the notion of community as being a term that has meaning globally, nationally, locally and within organisations. To demonstrate to students how small acts of kindness can make a difference, they initially learned about and took part in a global project ‘Pay it forward – random acts of kindness’. Knowing that their small acts of kindness had been part of something big, inspired them to look more closely at a community project running within our school; The M Store

Students interviewed Miss Hicks, who manages the M Store to find out more about its aims, successes and the support it needs to have further impact in our community. Following on from this, students were invited to the school conference room, where they took the roles of a project committee in a planning meeting.

The students identified the need for further promotion of the M store. They felt more families might benefit, if they know how it can support. They also planned who would carry out different maintenance and operational tasks that would improve the daily workings of the M Store.

The 3^rd and final area they focused on was a Christmas focused initiative, allowing the M Store to provide small gifts for young people in families where finances may be stretched at this time of year. Students set up a tree for students and staff to take gift tags of, specifying a gift that would really be appreciated by an individual who is currently being supported by the M Store.

As you can see the students fully embraced providing hands on support to the M store. Tasks they have completed include building storage, sorting stock, labelling shelves and even a spot of decorating!