Key Moments

Sunflower Power: St Peter’s 2-8 raise funds to welcome Ukrainian refugees to York

We are so proud of Kate in St Peter’s 2-8 who showed compassion and entrepreneurship by selling sunflower seeds to raise money for the new Sunflowers Kids Club – a nurturing space for Ukrainian refugee children and young people aged 0-17 to support their mental health and wellbeing. The kids club supports Ukrainian children with language skills and helps them to settle in York. Ukrainian teachers and psychologists are part of the staff team after disrupted lives have led to disrupted education. St Peter’s School supported this worthy cause by appealing to our community for donations for the club’s wishlist and offering school minibuses to take children on trips. Kate, alongside Hamish and Nina, proudly presented the nearly £100 raised from sunflower seed sales.

Kate, 7, said: “I was planting sunflowers in my garden, and I thought it was a good idea to have a school competition as sunflowers are the symbol of Ukraine and face the sun and wobble.”

Phil Hardy added: “This is an essential club providing a safe space for children and young people who may have experienced trauma, with an uncertain future, and we are delighted to support it. Our pupils never fail to amaze me. I am incredibly proud of Kate on the student council who thought of this lovely idea and raised funds so quickly.”

Lina Henderson, Sunflowers Kids Club Founder, explained: “We are so excited to open our doors to children and young people who have faced such challenges and trauma. We offer therapy but also practical skills, like learning English quickly and cultural information. We are also a space for women who have had no choice but to leave their men behind, or are grieving, to support each other.”

To donate or visit please visit www.sunflowersinyork.org

Isla’s Song for Ukraine

Talented young songwriter Isla from St Peter’s 8-13 wrote a powerful song inspired by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and raised over £500 in the process. Eleven-year-old Isla wrote Nightingale Song for the people of Ukraine after hearing about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on the news. Isla completed the composition in just two days, with one day of songwriting and another in production. Isla sang the song herself and played the piano for the recording, before using Soundtrap to add the violin part which completes the composition. Isla said: “I was inspired by Ukrainian people standing up for what they believe in. I find this powerful; they are an inspiration to me and to us all. I also wrote the song to comfort Ukrainian people who are suffering because of the war.” Isla hopes to raise as much money as possible for the UNICEF UK Ukrainian Appeal through the sale of her moving song. You can still buy the song on iTunes for 79p, with all proceeds going towards the appeal.