PERRY Wood Primary Nursery School has enjoyed a day of colour, fun and celebration, commemorating the beginning of The Griffin Schools Trust, which was founded eight years ago in 2012.

Founders Day is one of the many annual traditions that Perry Wood celebrates and likewise at the thirteen Griffin Schools Trust schools across the UK.

This year, the Founders Day celebrations were linked with the Jewish celebration of Purim, which provided the children with an opportunity to learn about the resilience of the Jewish people and also their triumph over adversity.

The story of Esther helped children to reflect on key values such as equal opportunities, respecting each other and self-belief.

To start the day, pupils and staff arrived at school, dressed in a range of exciting costumes and celebratory outfits.

Parents then joined their children to take part in a range of engaging activities, led by staff across the school.

These activities included creating traditional Purim gifts; making masks and flags as well as other items.

Mel Eastwood, a parent of the school in Ronkswood, said: “I always love it when Perry Wood put on events and activities for all the family. It’s so nice to share school experiences with my child as it gives me an insight into what he gets up to.

“The staff are so friendly and make me feel so welcome. It makes me wish I could go back to school again! It’s fantastic that the children get to experience and learn about others’ traditions and cultures as I think this will help young ones understand and respect others from different backgrounds and religious beliefs.”

Across the day, all year groups took part in educational activities all based around the five main traditions of Purim. They learnt the Purim story, made flags, shakers and masks; created gift bags and shared these bags with other children in school.

To complete the day of celebration, the school gathered for a assembly in the hall which had been decorated with an arrangement of balloons, bunting and banners.

The assembly was closed by presenting a collection of items - donated by families and school staff - to two local homeless shelters: Maggs Day Centre in Worcester and SIFA Fireside in Birmingham.

Fay Munslow, assistant head at Perry Wood, said: “This is a huge team effort and we are proud to be able to provide such a wonderful day of celebration for our pupils. Staff, parents and the local community have really pulled together to share this special day. The values of respect, trust, love and unity are at the core of what we do at Perry Wood and Founders Day is an ideal opportunity for us to remember this and celebrate what we do well. The children have thoroughly enjoyed the day and I’m sure they will remember the key messages portrayed today.”