Chase School Students Showcase Creativity in Christmas Hamper Challenge for St Paul’s Hostel

Our students have once again demonstrated exceptional creativity, generosity and community spirit through their annual Christmas Hamper Challenge for St Paul’s Hostel in Worcester. Tutor groups from Years 7 to 11 participated in the tradition of designing and building Christmas-themed hampers, which were then filled with donations of tins and dried goods to support those in need.

The level of effort and imagination shown this year was outstanding, with students producing designs that were as thoughtful as they were visually impressive. The hampers have become a highlight of the school’s calendar, and this year’s entries did not disappoint. Judging proved to be a challenging task for visiting judge Mrs. Sam Craig, who was so impressed by the high standard of work that she created a list of honourable mentions to recognize the creativity and hard work across the board.

The winning entry was an advent calendar constructed from 25 individual hampers, each resembling a drawer and filled with tins and dried goods. Second place was awarded to a Grinch-themed hamper inspired by Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, featuring items carefully labelled as part of a “Who Feast,” including Who Pudding and Who Hash. Third place went to a Home Alone-themed hamper, which included a miniature replica of the McCallister house, complete with internal lighting in its snowy setting.

Among the most heartwarming gestures was the effort of a Year 7 tutor group, whose students wrote individual Christmas messages filled with wishes and encouragement for the residents of St Paul’s Hostel. These notes added a personal and compassionate touch to the contributions.

The Christmas Hamper Challenge has become a cherished tradition at The Chase, showcasing the collective generosity and ingenuity of its students. Their dedication to helping those in need reflects the strong sense of community within the school. This year’s hampers are a true testament to the positive impact of working together to bring joy to others during the holiday season.

We are incredibly proud of our students for their continued commitment to this meaningful initiative. Their efforts are a shining example of the true spirit of Christmas.