Pupils throw a Christmas bash for pensioners

Pupils at a primary school were keen to show pensioners in their village a good time, with a Christmas party.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Dec 2017, 15:07 BST
Updated 15th Dec 2017, 15:10 BST
Thornley Primary school pupil Lewis Dowding (7) pulls a cracker with Heather Lonsdale (64) during the OAP Christmas party.Thornley Primary school pupil Lewis Dowding (7) pulls a cracker with Heather Lonsdale (64) during the OAP Christmas party.
Thornley Primary school pupil Lewis Dowding (7) pulls a cracker with Heather Lonsdale (64) during the OAP Christmas party.

The youngsters at Thornley Primary School decided they wanted to make friends with older people in the community and what better way than a party.

The Year 3 children went all out to make the afternoon go with a swing, even doing fundraising events to pay for it.

Pupils and staff pose for their photograph before the start of the Thornley Primary school OAP Christmas party.Pupils and staff pose for their photograph before the start of the Thornley Primary school OAP Christmas party.
Pupils and staff pose for their photograph before the start of the Thornley Primary school OAP Christmas party.
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Christine Williams, class teacher at the Coopers Terrace school, said she was very proud of the youngsters and the party was a huge success.

She said: “It was after we were involved in a Remembrance Day service that the children decided they wanted to become friends with more of the elderly people in the village.”

As part of their studies the children had been learning about healthy eating and setting up their own cafe, so decided to put their new found skills to use by putting on a party for pensioners.

The children made special Christmas party invitations which were given out at community groups for older people and also invited some of their own grandparents to take part.

Thornley Primary school pupil Alisha Lonsdale, seven, serves a glass of orange juice to 75-year-old Gary Piercy.Thornley Primary school pupil Alisha Lonsdale, seven, serves a glass of orange juice to 75-year-old Gary Piercy.
Thornley Primary school pupil Alisha Lonsdale, seven, serves a glass of orange juice to 75-year-old Gary Piercy.
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Ms Williams said: “They designed and made a healthy buffet for the pensioners and they also made their own crackers to give out.”

The children decided to make bingo boards so everyone could play a game on the afternoon and they also held a sing song.

Ms Williams said: “The children absolutely loved it. I think they have made friends for life with some of the elderly people and we will continue to keep up these links.

“The pensioners definitely enjoyed it, they loved the singing and the bingo.

“The feedback the children have had has been wonderful too. We have had the pensioners droping off boxes of choclates and cards for the children