As part of Premier League Primary Stars programme, year 6 students from Langenhoe Primary School took part in a social action event to raise resources and funds for The British Red Cross to support those effected by the war in Ukraine.
This 6-week programme delivered before the summer holidays was funded by the Premier League Primary Stars programme, which allows Colchester United Football in the Community to support local Primary Schools in enriching the national curriculum and supporting pupils and teachers within Literacy, Numeracy, PE & Sport and PSHE/Social Action.
The first social action lesson with the year 6 children at Langenhoe revolved around gaining an understanding of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, where several issues were discussed, such as the movement of refugees and the historical background of the conflict. This lesson was also allowed for students to discuss in detail with teachers and peers about anything they were particularly worried about and to share ideas on how they could set up projects at their school so they could help.
The following five lessons were led by the pupils, with structure of the lessons provided by Masen Hayes, the Colchester United Football in the Community team member working with the children at Langenhoe Community Primary School. Pupils in year 6 collaborated their ideas and decided on organising a school fete to raise funds for The British Red Cross’ Ukraine Appeal. Their planning detailed when, where and how the fate could take place, alongside sharing the reasons why they were arranging the event to people to maximise engagement and fundraising. Leaders in the class were delegated and roles and responsibilities shared with each member of the class. When all this was arranged, work began on making decorations and posters to advertise their event.
Throughout the programme, updates were given during lessons on the situation in Ukraine, and time was set aside for the students to ask any questions. The lessons became much more poignant, as a Ukrainian pupil was placed in their class, having escaped from the war, making the students all the more eager to make their event as successful as they could. Their new classmate was warmly welcomed and quickly allocated a role by her classmates to support the social action project.
With all the preparations completed, the time finally came for the event to be held. On Wednesday 20th July the year 6 class set up their fete and invited their fellow pupils to enjoy the variety of stalls and games they had decided to deliver. Once the school day had finished, parents and caregivers were also invited to take part and contribute to the fundraising for the appeal.
The stalls the children provided were:
- A Cake Stand
- Penalty Shootout,
- Keepy Uppy Challenge
- Face Painting & Glitter Tattoos
- An Obstacle Course
- A Raffle
- A Donations Stand
- Hook-a-Duck Competition
- A Ukraine Map Treasure Hunt
The event was run with the full support of Head teacher Mrs Stevenson and class support Mrs Tin, along with two Colchester United Football in the Community team members Masen Hayes and Bradley Swain (Langenhoe’s Colchester United Football in the Community Sport & Education Team Members) and the Colchester United Mascot Eddie the Eagle himself in his Support for Ukraine Colchester United shirt!
Mrs Stevenson, The Head teacher of Langenhoe Community Primary School commented on the projects: “I think this has taught the pupils things they would not necessarily learn when behind a desk in a classroom. It has taught them a lot of social skills and how to interact with each other and the community in supporting an important cause. Thank you to Colchester United and the Primary Stars funding for allowing the children this opportunity.”
Masen Hayes, the Lead Sport & Education Staff Member delivering the Primary Stars Social Action project with the year 6 children at Langenhoe Community Primary School shared: “Working with the year 6 pupils on the PLPS Social Action project at Langenhoe has been an absolute pleasure. Seeing the children come into their own and organise such a successful fundraiser as a class to support others makes me very proud and is exactly what this project is all about! I hope to work on more of these projects in the future to inspire more children to develop important life skills such as; teamwork, organisation, empathy and taking responsibility and imposing action at a young age to help others.”
Imogen a year 6 pupil who took part in the project said: “I’m really proud to take part in this project and help and support the people effected by the war in Ukraine. I liked this project as we all had a say and got to take part in it, but also it was very enjoyable to help others.”
The day was incredibly successful with smiles on everyone’s faces and plenty of memories made. Perhaps the best part was the resources collected, ranging from healthcare items to baby clothes and nappies, and funds raised, totalling £624 to donate to the British Red Cross’s Ukraine Appeal!
Well done to the year 6 pupils at Langenhoe Community Primary School for your incredible work!
For more information on the delivery of Premier League Primary Stars within local Primary Schools or to get involved in projects such as the one shared, please visit - CLICK HERE or contact our Premier League Primary Stars Co-ordinator luke.drysdale@colchesterunited.net / 01206 755160.