Derbyshire schools host disabled children's holiday week
Sixth-form pupils from a Derbyshire school have launched a new charitable venture, for children with disabilities and special learning needs.
Mount St Mary's College, invited children from Chesterfield charity Home-Based and support group Fairplay, also based in Chesterfield, to come and use the facilities on offer at the College, and enjoy a stay at the Mount's boarding accommodation.
During the new Children's Holiday Week, the children had the opportunity to go swimming in the school pool, decorate biscuits in the refectory, take part in a treasure hunt and enjoy an Olympic Games event on the school's Olympic standard athletics track.
They also participated in a celebration Mass in the school chapel. Helen McKell, the teacher in charge of the event, said: "This was a really worthwhile experience for all our sixth-formers. They impressed the visiting staff with their enthusiasm, their willingness to get involved, and the work they had put into preparing a range of exciting activities and experiences for the children who participated."
The Children's Holiday Week is a new venture for Mount St Mary's, created to help give sixth formers the opportunity to be of service to others. The holiday week will now become an annual event, taking place in the last week of the summer term.