It was party time at a children’s primary school – with 75 special guests.
Staff at Caldew Lea Primary in Carlisle were concerned that due to social distancing and lockdown rules young children have missed out on traditional birthday celebrations this year.
So they’ve decided that if the children can’t go to parties – they’ll throw their own instead.
The first lockdown birthday parties at the Cumbria Education Trust primary were enjoyed by all of the children in school – but most especially by the 75 pupils who had a birthday in the autumn term.
Classes, who remained in their Covid-19 secure teaching bubbles, played traditional party games including pass the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey and musical statues. Year 6 had a doughnut eating competition while Year 2 pupils raided a unique dressing up box to get in the party spirit.
Morrisons donated 270 individual cupcakes, one for every child in the Ashley Street school, candles were lit and ‘happy birthday’ sung to all children who had a special day in September, October or November.
Anna Carroll, Deputy Head of Caldew Lea, said: “Many children are missing out on celebrating their birthday with family and friends as they usually would. Our children have already had so many changes and had to adapt to new rules and regulations both at home and at school, and their emotional well-being is something that is very important to us.
“We want to give them the opportunity to celebrate their birthday in school with their class friends. We made sure the children felt really special. They all had a great time and many said it was the best birthday party they had ever had!
“We will be holding a birthday party within each class on the last Friday afternoon of each month to celebrate all children who have had or will be having their birthday that month.”
