This July, both Lady Bay Primary School and Rushcliffe Spencer Academy celebrated the end of term with vibrant Spanish-themed festivals, all in support of The School of Hope in Guatemala.
At Lady Bay Primary School, students assembled to learn about the impactful work happening at The School of Hope through a presentation by representative Kate Hendry. A Miro-inspired art project by the students was showcased to parents. The day was enriched with authentic Spanish tapas as the captivating tunes of the Cabillas Coats duo filled the air. Parents and students alike were delighted with the event which was organised by Deputy Head Tracey Keane and Spanish Teacher Eva Lopez in collaboration with Kate Hendry. As the school day came to a close, parents mingled and enjoyed an afternoon of cocktails, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.
At Rushcliffe Spencer Academy, the Esperanza Festival proved to be a day of fun and giving. Led by the dynamic efforts of the Performing Arts and Languages Faculties, the fiesta was a resounding success. The festival grounds were abuzz with laughter and excitement as students enjoyed varied music performances and an afternoon of games, stalls, crafts, and treats, led by Year 9 students who in the summer term learn about Guatemala and the School of Hope as part of their Spanish curriculum.
The highlight of the day was the inflatable slide, where adventure seekers bounced and slid their way into the summer holiday. A penalty shoot-out provided an opportunity for students to showcase their football skills, while the sale of hand-crafted jewellery, a nail art station, and even a teacher-sponging booth raised donations. As the air filled with the aroma of baked goods, attendees gathered around stalls with various home-baked treats. Music and dance took centre stage, with students showcasing their musical talents on the school’s sound stage. Attendees embraced the festive spirit by flaunting their styles on the dance floor, many donning the blue and white colours of the Guatemalan flag.
The heart-warming spirit of these events extended to the community’s generosity. Both events raised over £4,000 for Education For The Children, the West Bridgford based foundation who founded and run The School of Hope in Jocotenango, Guatemala. The school was chosen because it aligns with both schools’ Global Citizenship and Spanish curriculum. Jocotenango is a region marked by the stark realities of severe poverty, gang-related crime, domestic violence, and alcoholism. Food, healthcare, counselling, and career guidance at the school dismantle barriers to education, empowering students to fully realise their potential. Every bit donated by parents and carers will go towards students’ education, food or healthcare in Guatemala.
Eva Vicente, Head of Languages at Rushcliffe Spencer Academy, said: “The Esperanza Festival has become a regular and much anticipated yearly event in our school calendar – we have been running the festival since 2015! Esperanza Day is a fantastic way of coming together to celebrate the end of the academic year as a school community but also, and most importantly, it is a way of putting into practice one of Rushcliffe School’s core values: ‘We care for our world’.”