That’s how many children will be receiving a gift this Christmas, thanks to the generosity of students, parents and staff.

The Samaritan’s Purse charity couldn’t believe how many boxes we had collected and asked that we pass on their personal thanks to students and their families as well. The boxes are now on their way to the Didcot warehouse for checking and loading onto lorries, ready to start their long journey abroad. We are not sure of their location yet, but it is wonderful to think that 348 additional children will receive a gift this Christmas.

A special mention must go to everybody in Year 10, headed by their Head of Year, Mrs Clark. They really got behind the project and collected a staggering 159 boxes. We can feel an inter-year challenge coming on next year!

This is now a long-term commitment for the school. We beat last year’s total by 104 boxes and we are determined to do even better next year. So, when you buy all those bargain shoes in the January sales please keep the boxes and start to fill them so that we can again do ‘something special’ for these children.

Ms Bridges and Mrs Myatt