Students’ Christmas spirit shines

OHAUPO School pupil Jessica Hancock (8) delivers her parcels of handmade shortbread and personalised Christmas cards to Windsor Court residents Bev Sims (left) and Mary Daysh. 353061AD

By Cathy Asplin

Handmade Christmas cards, shortbread from a ‘secret’ family recipe and sweetly sung Christmas carols were the gifts presented to Windsor Court residents last week.

Ohaupo School Room One pupils spent a day making cards and baking biscuits, then walked to the nearby rest home to deliver their treats.

Jessica Hancock (8) says cutting out shapes with cookie cutters and baking the shortbread from a special recipe was fun and she was happy the residents liked the biscuits.

Classmate Thomas Ykema was celebrating his own birthday by giving gifts to others. Thomas has only been in New Zealand for six months after emigrating from Holland, so he was also practising his English as he chatted to residents, including birthday ‘girl’ Daphne de Malmanche.

Several residents shared their memories of Christmas as children and their school days.

Class teacher Michelle Boyde says the idea came about when children were discussing what they got for Christmas and who they shared that time with.

“We talked about some of the people in our community who may not receive gifts or visitors and the idea developed from there.”