Local Knitters Hook Up Highfield New Starters
Children joining Highfield Prep School Reception classes in September have been given a very special gift by a local knitting group.
Highfield Prep School Reception new starters pose with hand-knitted teddies
The children attended a transition day at the school last month to help them prepare for the move to ‘big school’ and were given a little knitted bear to take home to help ease them into Reception in September.
A team from the Ripon Community Poppy Project knitted the teddies in the Highfield uniform colours, an idea dreamt up by Head of Early Years & Foundation Stage at the school, Kathryn Wilson.
Members of Ripon Community Poppy Project and pupils and staff from Highfield Prep School, Harrogate, showcase hand-knitted teddies for new Reception children
Miss Wilson, who grew up in Ripon, was a Girl Guide with one of the knitting group co-ordinators, Hazel Barker, so when she had the idea of creating a special teddy for children joining Reception, she knew exactly who to ask for help.
“We wanted to give the children something to take home over the Summer to encourage them to talk about joining Reception with their parents. They can also take the teddies on adventures over the Summer and then come and tell us all about them in September. We also hope that it will be a comfort for the children to bring their teddies in with them in September on their first day at ‘big school’.
“I’ve known Hazel since I was a girl and I was absolutely delighted when the group said that they would help turn the idea into a reality.
“We went along with our Head Girl to meet the knitters and see them making our new bears, which was incredibly special,” she said.
A collection of the hand-knitted teddy bears, wearing Highfield Prep’s school colours
Hazel Barker said the circle of knitters, which meets regularly at Hazel House for a ‘knit and a natter’, were delighted to help out with such a special task.
“We get involved with all sorts of community projects. Because I have known Kathryn such a long time, it felt like a special request we could accommodate,” she said.
As well as their hand-knitted teddies, the children joining Highfield’s Reception classes in September also received a box full of items to help them to get ready for school. Their parents also attended a Welcome Supper to enable them to get to know each other and the teachers.