Oundle School’s ‘Have a Go Day’ (HAGD) has been running for thirty
years and has established itself as a favourite date in the calendars of special
needs clubs and schools. On the afternoon of Sunday 21 September, over 100
visitors to the School, hosted by over 150 pupils, took part in various
activities including swimming, badminton, basketball, archery, football, indoor
rowing, crazy golf, face painting, boccia, music and art activities.
Liz Dillarstone, Head of Community Action at Oundle School commented,
“HAGD is a really encouraging environment
in which our visitors can try their hand at new sports and activities in a safe
and familiar environment. It is lovely to see the faces of our guests light up
at the prospect of sampling activities which many people take for granted. Our
pupils are privileged to host them.”
Some
visitors make a bee-line for their favourite activity as soon as they arrive;
the archery is always extremely popular and well supported. Others like to try
their hand at rounders or cricket and football is always popular.
Pupil,
Honor Bishop (17) commented, “I really
enjoyed organising rounders at HAGD. It always amuses me how competitive all the
players get - Oundle pupils and visitors alike! A small group of us played
catch with a girl called Rebecca for nearly an hour. I really enjoyed helping
her learn the ‘jump and grab technique’ and from the many hugs we were given, I
am sure she did too! Watching Rebecca genuinely improve, and even learn to
catch with one hand after she had assured us she would never be able to do so, was
inspiring.”
Pupil,
Eliza Dundas 16) commented, “I was one of
the face painters, which I really enjoyed as we could make everyone so happy by
turning them all into their favourite TV characters, or painting butterflies and
flowers on their faces. We painted an impressive number of Spidermen and
Unicorns, and even a tiger!”
Pupil Emma O’Dea (16) added, “At HAGD, I helped out with Arts and Crafts -
making badges, masks and magnets. Everyone seemed to enjoy making their creations
and being able to wear their badges for the rest of the day. One boy very
kindly made a picture for us which he stuck up on the wall.”
Any clubs wishing to be notified of future events should contact
Oundle School Community Action department on 01832 277267 or email ca@oundleschool.org.uk for further
details.
Background Information on Community Action at Oundle School
Approximately
350 pupils are engaged during the year in providing service in the community in
Oundle and surrounding villages and as far afield as Corby, Kettering and Peterborough.
Pupils work in schools and nurseries, with the elderly and infirm; provide
drama for special needs schools, environmental support work at the country
park; offer ICT lessons for beginners; help at a local special needs club and
produce a Community Newspaper (Oundle Chronicle) to name but a few of the 50+
activities.
Pupils
also help with Inner city holiday schemes and have regularly slept rough to
raise money for St Basils’ homeless shelter in Birmingham.