Whyteleafe pupils have a seriously funny time in aid of Comic Relief

The spelling on the school badge may have said Whyte but that was just about the only thing that was not red last week as staff and pupils at Whyteleafe School entered into the spirit of Red Nose Day, raising a remarkable £1500 for Comic Relief with a packed programme of activities and events.

From cake sales to nail painting, via the school talent contest – with teachers renamed Simon, Louis Nicole and Tulisa for the afternoon – everyone did their bit to get into the spirit of the day and help raise a smile and funds for well-meaning causes.

Unsurprisingly, the vast array of cakes donated by staff and pupils were snapped up during break time, but the most popular and successful event of the day was the afternoon’s talent show.

With so many people having paid to enter, classes had to stage elimination rounds before the finalists stepped into the spotlight and performed in front of the whole school – and their families, who had made a donation for the chance to come along and see their big moment.

Joint winners were Cydney Biggle and Amy Collins, with the judges unable to separate their performances of songs by Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys. Runners-up were Year Four’s Rude Boys with Year Two dance troupe the Sparkle Sisters in third place.

Head teacher, Anthony Marsh, said it was a day for the whole school to be proud. “Red Nose Day is all about two things – having fun and raising money for a good cause – and the children have done both these things to a remarkable degree,” he said.

“A lot of people, especially school council members, put in a lot of effort to make this a success and it demonstrates what a great community Whyteleafe is to raise as much as we did. I’m extremely proud of every one of them, and the fantastic work they’ve done.”