Thank You For Supporting Our Shoe Box Appeal

Helping the Homeless and Those in Need

CHRISTMAS is the hardest time of year for people sleeping rough, with the weather getting worse every day and everyone else feeling the festive cheer. The holiday season is usually a time of celebration and of thanks for what we have and a time most of us spend with family, friends and loved ones. For those who are on the fringes of society this time of year can be a reminder of what they don't have or what they have lost which can be compounded because they are homeless.

As Christmas approaches we as a school community are very aware that 800 families in the Newry area will need help so this year we are going to help a local charity ‘The Larder Newry’ in their Christmas appeal. This is Newry's emergency food bank. It helps the needy in Newry and surrounding areas.

As a rights respecting school we are very aware of the rights of children and young people.

Article 27 states: You have the right to food, clothing, a safe place to live and to have your basic needs met. You should not be disadvantaged so that you can't do many of the things others do.

We want to help all those people in our community who, unfortunately, will not have their basic rights to shelter or food met. By gathering items for ‘The Larder Newry’ we will support a local group who do amazing work so that kids, like us, can enjoy many of the things that we take for granted.

It is particularly at times like Christmas when the Homeless and those in need require that extra bit of care and compassion to see them through. We appreciate the kindness and support of parents and pupils all year round and we are constantly blessed by their generosity in helping us fulfil our role for some of the most vulnerable in society.