Rivers Academy were delighted to welcome 85 members of the local community to their annual Community Christmas Tea for some festive fun and celebrations.
The Community Tea has been running at Rivers Academy for over 20 years and is their chance to give something back to the senior citizens from their local area. Guests were invited from Bristol Court, the Royal British Legion, a local bingo group and parents or grandparents of staff and students’.
Guests were welcomed into Rivers Academy, students took them to the main hall and then set about serving them drinks and having a chat. Once settled in, the guests were served a plate of food which had been produced by the food technology GCSE students, under the watchful eye of Head of Food Technology, Miss Beadle. The food was thoroughly enjoyed and was followed by fruit platters and mince pies.
The event, which is organised by Head of Careers, Will Berryman, saw double the number of guests to the previous couple of years and has again become something that members of the local community look forward to and note in their diary.
“It was wonderful to have 85 guests come this year and get back to the numbers we had years ago. The students and staff love being able to give something back to some very valued members of the local community”
In the couple of hours that they spent at Rivers Academy the guests were treated to performances from the choir, a solo pianist, a sing along session led by a sixth form student and, possibly for the first time ever, a student band to bring some live music to the event.
The afternoon also included a few games of bingo with some lovely hampers for prizes, a raffle where everyone got a prize and a visit from Father Christmas who gave everyone a small box of chocolates.
All of the students who helped out, whether it be with food, entertaining or serving, all represented Rivers Academy so well and the school is very proud of the work and effort from all of them, the students also enjoy being a part of the event and bringing joy to others.
Speaking after the event, Will Berryman reflected on its success:
‘This really is a great event and one that I look forward to hosting each year. It is important for our community that we give something back and the students really do take pride in what they do and the experience of all guests. I would like to thank all students who helped, all members of staff for supporting in the build up or on the day and very importantly our thanks to our two sponsors who made it possible, Skyline Freight (UK) Ltd and SEGRO, both made very kind donations which allowed us to host the event and provide prizes and chocolates for all”