A Dorset primary school is encouraging children to be the change they want to see, with more than 50 awards being presented by Bishop Karen for their leadership skills.
The Archbishop of York's Young Leaders Awards scheme aims to develop leadership skills in young people, who undertake a variety of projects as part of the programme.
The scheme's strapline: "be the change you want to see" was introduced last year by Julia Goy, Head of Collective Worship and RE at the school, and Vicar of Puddletown, Revd Sarah Hillman.
This year, pupils have been busy spearheading a variety of creative projects that they devised to support local charities and raise money for community projects. Other ideas were conceived to enhance the educational experience of students and the communities in which they live.
Some of these activities included cake sales, sponsored clean-ups, building bird boxes, leading a choir at Christmas time and creating gift bags for those who would not otherwise get Christmas gifts. Chocolate Bingo and raffles are other examples of the pupils imaginative fundraising events.
As part of a diocesan scheme to sponsor children in Sudan and South Sudan, St Mary's recently held a mini fete based on an African theme. The school's worship group organised and ran the stalls, with the aim of raising enough money to support one child for one year (£70). In fact, the total came to more than £800!