The theme of being thankful was explored at this year's Harvest Festival held at St Osmund's School in Dorchester.

Pupils in key stage 2 donated non-perishable food to a local food charity while pupils in key stage 3 explored the value of thankfulness even further by looking at the school verse and living it out.

"So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG).

They created thankfulness boxes for the community in keeping with the school bible verse that no-one ever feels “left out, no one feels left behind”. Hampers were made to show people that they are in the thoughts of pupils and staff.

These hampers were delivered to elderly care homes, including Castle View in Poundbury, homes for children with disabilities and the local women’s refuge.

The school received positive feedback about how well the hampers were received.

Kat, companion team leader, said: “On behalf of Castle View residents; we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous hampers you kindly provided us with, our residents have been enjoying the goodies whilst playing games and receiving pampers with the smellies. It has made our residents feel very loved and appreciated.”

Each tutor group decided where to send their hamper and what they wanted to include in them. Items such as chocolates, colouring, puzzles, biscuits, bulbs to plant, bath toiletries and many other lovely treats.

Pupils really took ownership of their hampers. Some pupils even bought a special box for their donations to go in and others had a personal connection to a local home and delivered it themselves.

Youngsters also received lovely feedback from one home where one child created a thank you note and a drawing with the items sent.

Jim Collins, resource manager of Children in Care & Care Leavers at Dorset Council wrote: “Thank you so much for the lovely treats which the pupils from St Osmund’s have gifted to our children at The Cherries. It is much appreciated. To know that we are in your thoughts does indeed make us feel part of the community.”