On Friday 18th March 2022, the Leeds United Foundation and former player Ben Parker ably supported by Lucas (Kop Kat) hosted a Leeds United Club Colours Day at Holy Trinity CofE Primary School. It was a thoroughly amazing day. Our children loved meeting Kop Kat and there were certainly a few hugs and ‘hi fives’ given to Lucas, not to mention several laps around the school pitch very reminiscent of the Pied Piper of Hamlin. Excitement had built prior to the day, with children and their families raising sponsorship money for the penalty shoot-out. On the day itself, our children just loved coming into school in their ‘club colours’ and taking part in the penalty shoot-outs. I think Kop Kat may benefit from some coaching from Illan Meslier – the Leeds United first team keeper.
We have been working with the Leeds United Foundation for over a year. The journey our children have been on has been fantastic. From the outset of our work with the foundation, we wanted to develop team work skills, resilience and the willingness to ‘give things ago’. All our children did this, and the support from their peers when they were taking their penalties was truly phenomenal. For me on the day our children through sport and the competition lived out our School Vision: Love Believe Achieve.
Our work with the Leeds United Foundation has to date been much more than just football, and even sport. September – for example - saw the conclusion of our whole school art project which we undertook with Burley Banksy; we are sure you will have seen our amazing electrical box designed and painted by our children. On Friday, Leeds United provided a range of activities and resources for our children to do. For example, year 6 wrote acrostic poems about their favourite players and in so doing showed some of their fantastic creative and writing skills. On this note, our year 6 children deserve a special mention. In their PE lessons with the Leeds United Foundation they have been working on developing their leadership skills. They showed their maturity and these skills in abundance on Friday when supporting classes other classes with their penalty shoot out.
The highlight of the day was the prize draw with the Leeds United Foundation providing some phenomenal prizes. Two of children even won signed shirts and tickets to a Leeds game. We also raised about £3,500 at the last count which is truly brilliant. However, above all without exception children and staff had a fantastic day. Thank you to our school families for the generosity and to the Leeds United Foundation.
