Pupils organise their own charity appeal (From Penarth Times)

Pupils organise their own charity appeal

TEACHERS were filled with admiration as pupils of St Cyres School raised money to help others.

The beginning of term at the school, as in so many other places, was muted by the horrors of the tsunami disaster in Asia.

In the first week 350 was raised by a simple bucket collection and forwarded to Sri Lanka.

On Monday, January 17, the school hall was bursting with pupils and parents attending a talent contest in aid of the tsunami appeal.

The whole event was organised by a small group of Year 11 pupils (pictured) who encouraged pupils from all year groups to enter the competition.

The 20 acts ranged from vocal and instrumental soloists to a Tae Kwondo demonstration and a magic show.

The winner of the contest was Jodie Williams (Year 9) who performed Mr Cellophane; Katie Love (Year 11) and Louise Claypole (Year 13) won second and third places respectively.

The whole evening was very enjoyable and a credit to the commitment and enthusiasm of the organisers. Almost 600 was raised. This money will be forwarded to the Disasters Emergency Fund.

Ms Rowlands, who teaches music at St Cyres, was on holiday in Thailand at the time of the disaster.

She was encouraged by the response of the pupils and said: "It is very hard for people here to imagine just how desperate the situation is, but I know that communities struggling to rebuild their lives will be touched by the generosity of pupils like those we have here in St Cyres."