Makaton Day
To celebrate Makaton Day, a group of students visited Penny Field School to spend time learning songs using Makaton sign language with the pupils. It was a fantastic opportunity to develop our communication skills while celebrating the importance of inclusion. The students welcomed us warmly with colourful flags they had made especially for our visit, making us feel part of their school community from the moment we arrived. Everyone enjoyed learning new signs together, singing songs and joining in with the activities. The highlight of the day was seeing the smiles and enthusiasm on everyone’s faces. It was clear that the pupils had enjoyed spending time with us, and many were sad to see us leave at the end of the session. The visit reminded us how small acts of kindness and inclusion can make a real difference, and it is an experience we will all remember.
Leeds Irish Health and Homes Lunch Club
Students were delighted to help host another successful Tea Dance at Cardinal Heenan. Despite the extremely hot weather, there was a fantastic turnout, with guests enjoying an afternoon filled with music, entertainment and conversation. A special highlight was welcoming a former Cardinal Heenan student, who entertained everyone with a wonderful selection of songs. It was lovely to discover that he had once been taught by Miss Davies, who recognised him immediately. Guests were also treated to an incredible Irish dancing performance by siblings Alanna (Year 9) and Daniel (Year 7). Their performance was enjoyed by everyone in the hall. The venue looked fantastic thanks to the handmade decorations created by our current Year 7 students during their welcome evening last summer. Throughout the afternoon, students served drinks and sweet treats, sold raffle tickets and spent time chatting with our guests, helping to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The Tea Dance was another wonderful example of our Common Good work, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for many more events in the future.
Refugee Week – chapel FM
As part of Refugee Week, a group of Year 9 students had the opportunity to visit Chapel FM to take part in a special celebration of different cultures and communities. It was an inspiring day that helped us learn more about the experiences of refugees on refugee week and the importance of making everyone feel welcome. Throughout the event, we enjoyed a variety of cultural performances, including music and songs from different countries. It was amazing to see so many cultures being celebrated, and the performances created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone attending. One of the most powerful parts of the day was listening to several people share their personal stories. Hearing about the challenges they had faced, as well as their journeys to build new lives, gave us a much greater understanding of the experiences many refugees go through. Their courage, resilience and hope left a lasting impression on us all. The event also included the presentation of City of Sanctuary Awards, recognising organisations and individuals who have worked hard to create welcoming and inclusive communities. A special moment was seeing the Lord Mayor receive the award on behalf of Leeds, recognising the City’s commitment to supporting refugees and people seeking sanctuary. The visit was both educational and inspiring. It encouraged us to think about the importance of kindness, inclusion and celebrating diversity within our communities. Which then helped us use all of it to present it in assemblies for every year group.
