An Enterprising Day during Refugee Week at St James’ Primary School

During Refugee Week 2024, we were delighted to visit St James’ Primary School in Emsworth to share how we help to ensure that refugee children in Bangladesh are able to learn, play and have fun with their friends at our learning centres. 

The children at St James’ Primary School were not only learning about refugees during Refugee Week, but were also busy preparing for their ‘Enterprise Day’ on Friday 21st June. They had chosen to donate half the profits from the day to Children on the Edge and raised an incredible £398.22!

Each class was given £5 to try and turn into a profit, with everyone, right from the reception aged ‘Puffins’ to the Year 6 ‘Orcas’ getting involved. The children created an amazing array of stalls and activities in their classrooms and out in the playground, and invited each other to come and spend their pennies throughout the afternoon! 

‘Penguins’ class wanted their friends to ‘show us your muney’ and had made loom band bracelets and bookmarks to sell. The youngest students in ‘Puffins’ had decorated biscuits with icing and sweet treats and were selling Disney cards’ to raise some cash. ‘Jellyfish’ class had a nerf gun game and archery challenge on offer out on the playground.

'Turtles’ and ‘Stingrays’ had made delicious cakes, homemade popcorn cones and drawn some great artwork to sell. They had also created a ‘blast the teacher’ station outside, encouraging their friends to fill a water pistol and aim it at photos of the school staff! A photo booth, filled with props was also on offer, with photos printed out for the children to take home. 

The older children in Year 5 and 6 were working hard making milkshakes and smoothies, which were hot in demand! 

The school was filled with so many stalls and creations, glitter tattoos and ice pops were a popular money spinner, especially on a lovely hot day. Outside, penalty shoot outs and throwing games filled the playing field. Everyone had a great time, and were so pleased to be able to support Children on the Edge with their fundraising. 

Mrs Love who helped to organise the day said: ‘At school, we often talk about how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Enterprise Day was definitely an example of this. It was really exciting to see the many different stalls that the children had set up, with so many creative ideas! Almost £400 is a really great amount to be able to give Children on the Edge as a result”.

Would your school like to get involved and support Children on the Edge? We have lots of ideas and resources available to help get you started.