As an outstanding school, Kendrick seeks to work with other schools and organisations and to this end we have excellent relationships with secondary and primary schools within the local area and beyond. Kendrick actively pursues partnerships with educational establishments, as well as with local businesses. These associations benefit the students of Kendrick and also enable us to share the good practice and opportunities we have with other schools and students in Reading. 

CHRISTMAS CHARITY APPEALS

The school is having an appeal to raise donations on behalf of two local charities to support local families over the Christmas period: Reading Family Aid ‘Toys and Teens Appeal’ and the Whitley Community Food Cupboard. Both charities seek to provide for families and young people in the local area. As a school we have been working with the Whitley Food Cupboard for some time and are one of the charity’s biggest supporters.  Last year we had a similar appeal around Christmas for Reading Family Aid and you can read more about the Toys and Teens Appeal here: https://www.readingfamilyaid.org/toys-teens-appeal.html

It would be wonderful to have the support of the whole school community in contributing gifts and donations, however small, to make a real difference to the thousands of people locally who are in need. There is no expectation that everyone has to make a contribution, but if you are able to support in any way, that will be hugely appreciated. Lists of items that would be suitable/unsuitable to donate for each of the two appeals have been shared with students in school. More detailed lists can be found on the Reading Family Aid website following the weblink above, but in summary:

Reading Family Aid:
Suitable items include: most toys; stationary; most books; toiletries; bags; hats, scarves, gloves.

Unsuitable: used or damaged items; soft toys; school or religious books; electrical items; CDs/DVDs; clothing; very large items.

Whitley Community Food Cupboard:
Suitable items include: non-perishable food items (pasta, tea/coffee, tins, cereals, pasta sauces, packet soups, cooking oil); Christmas treats (selection boxes of chocolate, nice biscuits); cleaning products; toiletries.

Unsuitable: perishable items and foods with allergens (e.g. nuts)

It is also possible to make a donation to the Food Cupboard via the School Parent Pay system.

The aim is for donations to be brought into in school by the end of this week: Friday 29^th November. However, the donated items will not be collected from school by the charities until Thursday 5^th December, so we are still able to accept donations at the beginning of next week.

There is also an event in school for KS3 students (Years 7-9) in the Main Hall at lunchtime on Monday 2^nd December. This will be a lot of fun as the students take on various mini-challenges. Students will have the opportunity to make a voluntary donation at that event too.

Many thanks for your support with this appeal. Once again, any help you can give will make a real difference and is very much appreciated.

Mr Simmonds and Mr Hodge