SERVING Teessiders has always been important to students at Hall Garth Community Arts College.
So much so that the school on Hall Drive, Middlesbrough, even changed its name last September to include the word ‘community’ in its title.
And now to become recognised for its emphasis on citizenship, headteacher Steve Taylor, pictured, has nominated Hall Garth for the Evening Gazette Schools Award 2008, Active Community category.
He said: “Our Year 11 visited old people in Oaklea and Linthorpe Nursing Homes in Middlesbrough at Christmas, pictured below.
“They took presents and had mince pies together with the senior citizens.
“There were a few emotional moments when the old people talked to the pupils about their lives - it was education being brought to life.�
Also last year pupils hosted a coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Support raising hundreds of pounds, followed by a craft fair to further boost funds.
Another up and coming community initiative the school is pleased to be involved with is Acklam 2020, creating plaques with positive messages on them that will be placed along the avenue of trees that leads to Acklam Hall.
The school is also proud of a lads and dads day it hosted last year where fathers and sons together built then raced a go-kart but also tested their literacy and numeracy skills.
“It is important for us to work with the community because we are at the heart of it,� added Steve.
“If you give our young people responsibility, you can bet your mortgage that they won’t let you down.
“We are at the heart of so many communities not just Acklam, but the Asian community, arts community and Teesside community as a whole.
“Like our name says - “community� - we do what it says on the tin.�
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Acklam 2020 are very pleased that Hall Garth Community College is taking positive steps to be good neighbours to the residents of Acklam. It is essential we work together to make it a better place for us all to live and work in.We are delighted that they provide us with a room for our meetings and now providing a partnership for developing projects to enhance our environment.Well done Hall Garth!