Pupils’ carolling a recipe for joy at hospital

Clyde Primary School junior syndicate leader Megan Ryder said the school wanted to thank people at the hospital.

"Rather than what Christmas and the festive season can do for us, we’ve been talking about what we can do for the festive season," Mrs Ryder said.

Families of the junior school donated baking for the hospital staff to enjoy.

"We had an enormous response [from families] — we so appreciate our community."

The school community made it possible to give and watching the children spread joy made her a very proud teacher, she said.

Ready to receive some donated baking are Clyde Hospital’s Vincent ward charge nurse (left) Gemma Atkinson and district nursing charge nurse Olivia A’Court with Clyde Primary School pupils (from left): Olivia Cooke, 8, Ashlyn Nyhon, 7, Evelyn Booth, 7, and Sophia Hartman, 7. PHOTO: RUBY SHAW

Historically, the hospital had enjoyed visits from the primary school around the festive season time but these had dropped off over time, she said.

"We wanted to get some song and life back into the Dunstan Hospital at Christmas-time."

It was a wonderful gesture of support that staff appreciated, she said.

"It’s really important for this organisation to know that our community is behind us."

The pupils had also contributed decorations for the hospital’s annual Christmas tree decorating competition, held between departments.

The Christmas tree competition was a way to spread cheer among the hospital’s staff and visitors, Mrs Anderson said.