Pupils, staff & parents at Ardingly College have reached out in a number of ways to the refugee crisis.
At the end of the summer term, donations were collected to fill shoe boxes for the Rotary Club Shoebox appeal. Over 100 boxes were filled to ‘spread a little happiness’ to the disadvantaged children and adults in Eastern Europe.
Earlier in the year, a group of students organised a ‘lift for Ukraine’ event to raise funds for those affected by the Ukrainian war. Students were invited to lift weights that represented the wait Ukrainians were having to endure before getting across borders, and students ran, rowed or cycled the distance between Kiev and the Polish border.
Since September a group of international students have visited Warden Park Academy for a ‘Students Supporting Students’ partnership. The two schools have opportunity to practice their English and chat in their own language with other native speakers. The students come from a mix of socio-economic backgrounds, amongst them refugees.
This year we have welcomed four refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan into the College. It has been incredibly humbling to witness first hand their resilience and ability to make the most of every situation. Amongst them, we have a budding artist, an entrepreneur, a master knitter and a keen sportsperson. They have each met the challenge of settling into a strange country, conversing in another language and getting to grips with a different style of education with determination and fortitude. Thanks to the staff and student to embracing these students with friendship and support.
If you would like to find out more about how the generosity of our community supports transformational bursaries and partnerships, please get in touch with Development Director, Elinor Wood, on 01444 893199 or Elinor.Wood@ardingly.com.
