This term at Tenby Juniors, we have been looking at the value of RESPECT; through this we have focused on teaching our children about being grateful for the many opportunities they have and material things around them that they compared with the needs of children in other countries around the world. The theme of 'Gratefulness' was evident throughout the service, particularly with the whole school songs; children brought their donations up to the front in wellies to remind us of planting and farming.

Our Harvest project this year has focused on supporting 'Farm Africa'. This is a charity with the motto - 'End Hunger - Grow Farming.' Through working with farmers in Africa by improving the seeds and skills they use, they have seen farmers being able to double or triple their harvests so they can grow enough food to feed their family and enough to sell too. The charity believes it can create permanent solutions to hunger through enabling farmers to build a better future for themselves, their children and their children's children. Pupils are beginning to see that the things that they take for granted like food, water, going to school and being healthy are not available to millions of children around the world.

Over the last two weeks, Mrs. Llewellyn has been so impressed with the way the children at school have been setting up stalls, selling their unwanted books, toys, loom bands and cakes to raise money for this charity. The sum of £200 had been raised by the time of the Harvest service at Deer Park. Our target is £1,000. The sponsored pirate welly walk, as part of this project, was held around school on the last day before half-term to enable us to fund seeds, tools, water pumps and training for farmers to become profitable in the future. Sponsor money will be collected after half-term.

Thank you for the large collection of tins and packets that have been brought to school. This year, the school is linking with PATCH, a local charity that is helping people in our locality who are hungry and in need. This is the first time that we have supported PATCH and it is hoped it will be the start of a longstanding partnership.

Many families have also started preparing the shoeboxes for our Operation Christmas Child appeal. Pupils saw a very moving video of the children in Africa receiving their Christmas boxes last year and it brought home to them how grateful those children were for the items that had been placed in the boxes. A reminder please, that if you are donating a shoebox this year, it will need to be at school by Friday, November 7, for collection.

It is heartening to know that our small individual donations and efforts in Tenby can collectively make such a big difference to others in our world. It not only gives them the practical help they need at this moment of time, but also gives them hope for the future; our school motto of caring and sharing is being worked out and making a difference globally.

Thank you to Deer Park Baptist for allowing us to use the church for our service and also to Rev. Arfon Thomas for his warm welcome and prayers.