SHEFFIELD PARK STUDENTS FUNDRAISE FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

Louise Innocent / 11 January 2020 / Categories: News

Over 100 students from Sheffield Park Academy put on a fantastic performing arts show as part of a fundraising effort at the end of last term.

Across the night, the show saw students take to the stage for performances ranging from salsa and street dance to Shakespeare soliloquies and jazz numbers. As well as guests of friends and families, the academy welcomed back several former students back from universities around the country to participate in the show again this year.

The show, entitled ‘From Me to You’, was dedicated to the idea of giving back to the local community and sought to raise money and awareness of important issues and local charities. The pieces explored topics such as mental health and self-esteem as well as highlighting the impact of global disasters and tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

As part of the school’s commitment to providing an ‘Education with Character’ students are encouraged to be kind, compassionate and play a positive role in their school and local community. When it came to choosing charities to support on the night, students picked two that were particularly close to their hearts.

One former Sixth Former, Brooke Carter, who had been at Sheffield Park Academy since Year 7, sadly passed away last September. Students wanted to honour her memory, so this year they have been raising money for PACT House, the Parents’ Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia.

The other charity they supported was Carolyn’s Trust, which was set up in memory of the much-loved friend, colleague and teacher Mrs Williams who passed away in 2018. Mrs Williams taught students at Waltheof School and Sheffield Park Academy for 32 years and was particularly passionate about teaching students to cook. The Trust was set up by her close family to help inspire more students through food technology at Sheffield Park Academy.

Through ticket sales and donations, overall the show raised over £600 which will be split between PACT House and Carolyn’s Trust. Students will be continuing to support both charities throughout the course of the school year.

As a community event, one very special feature of the night was when students were joined on stage by Year 6 pupils from Pipworth Community Primary School. The children had a brilliant time performing with their older peers, with many looking forward to joining them in September when they start their secondary schooling.

Mrs McShane, Principal of Sheffield Park Academy, said:

“I am incredibly proud of all our students who helped to deliver another standout show and ensured that, as well as being an exciting display of dance, drama and music, it had greater purpose too. As a school, we seek to nurture character, compassion and service so it is wonderful to see our students displaying these values by raising awareness and money for such important causes.

“We are very grateful to all those who attended who donated generously and helped to make the night a success. It was particularly good to welcome some our former students, who it is always a pleasure to see, and the pupils from our local primary school Pipworth.”