Christmas cards lovingly created by junior students at Sacred Heart College now adorn the walls of Princess Alexandra Retirement Village. 

The initiative was spearheaded by the Young Vinnies group at Sacred Heart College and saw all students in years 9 and 10 collaboratively create and decorate poster-sized cards for residents of the village, based in Napier. 

Sacred Heart College Chaplain Elaine Cook says it was wonderful to see all girls participate. 

“The girls worked on them in teams, and they were a combination of illustrations, greetings, and messages. They were absolutely beautiful.” 
Mrs Cook, along with students Emma Marsden and Gemma Dean, delivered more than 80 cards during their last week of school earlier this month. 

“It was beyond what I had expected, and I wanted the girls who made the cards to understand the meaning of it, and what it meant to the people who actually received them.” 

“So, it was really touching to see the girls deliver these cards and to see the reaction of the residents.” 

After delivering a card to each person in the hospital wing, they ventured to the assisted living area where residents were having lunch.  

“When we walked in, all of their eyes brightened.”  

It is not the first time students have interacted with the residents. At Easter, they created individual cards for residents at Princess Alexandra and Summerset in the Bay. 

“It was different as we set up tables during the breaks and girls came by and made cards. So, it was lovely to have all girls involved this time around.” 

Princess Alexandra Retirement Village Diversional Therapist Hayley Berriman says the cards were very well received. 

“The cards were lovely, and I think they really enjoyed their interaction with the girls. 

“Our residents love seeing that younger generation and they love talking and I think the girls that were there were lovely, and they spent a bit of time with them so that was awesome.

“We’ve got a Christmas decoration competition going and some of them have actually put them on their windows in their villas as part of their decorations.” 

Sacred Heart College Principal Maria Neville-Foster says: “As students of Sacred Heart, we try to teach our girls to think beyond themselves and give back to those who are less fortunate or marginalised”. 

“As part of our junior retreat day which focused on the gospel value of hope, the girls’ action of making cards was to give hope to the elderly who may feel lonely at this time of year.” 

Article added: Thursday 22 December 2022