Whinfell Christmas Tree Festival — a festive success
In Autumn 2025 Cambian Whinfell School took part in the Kendal Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival. Working together across subjects, our young people helped design and make a beautiful themed tree inspired by the hymn “O Christmas Tree”. Each subject made around 20 tree-shaped decorations using the materials and contributions from staff and pupils.
Highlights
- Geography — trees from around the world, with short facts to match each decoration.
- Art — sewn decorations made using recycled green fabrics, buttons and trims donated by staff and families.
- Catering — delicious tree-shaped biscuits decorated by our catering team and pupils.
- English — text-covered trees featuring favourite festive lines, poems and stories created by learners.
Fundraising and donation
Thanks to the generosity of pupils, staff and visitors the tree attracted donations totalling £294.57. The CareTech Foundation kindly matched that amount, bringing the total given to St Mary’s Hospice to £595.57. Our young people visited St Mary’s to hand over the cheque; the hospice replied, “I just wanted to thank you and the pupils for the fantastic donation.”
A message from the Principal
“I am so proud of our young people and staff for the creativity, care and community spirit they showed in preparing our tree. Events like this help our pupils build confidence, teamwork and practical life skills while supporting an important local charity.”
— Paddy Sandham, Principal
