Operation Christmas Child at St Mary’s 2025

Our school joined with thousands of other schools up and down the country in wrapping, packing and sending shoeboxes full of gifts – things like cuddly toys, games, balls, hats, gloves and scarves, stationery and hygiene items – to children in need around the world.

Through this campaign, run by the UK charity Samaritan’s Purse, we want to teach children here about generosity for others, and compassion, to make them aware of the fact that there are children elsewhere in the world who have nothing, and give them the opportunity to do something practical, yet so simple, that can make such a difference. 

All pupils in years 7,8 and 9 were invited to take part and we also had pupils in years 10 and 11 who made their own individual their contributions. The response was incredible with well over 300 shoe boxes wrapped and filled with gifts. The parcels were delivered by our site manager, Mike Haskett, the Samaritan’s Purse volunteers were overwhelmed by the number of gifts they received and passed on their huge appreciation to the school.