Steyning students in the pink

Boys from the sixth form sports teams at Steyning Grammar School donned tutus and danced on stage to help boost the Wear it Pink spectacular.

The fundraising event, organised by Steyning Sixth Form College, raised £4,098 for Breast Cancer Now and other cancer causes.

Sally Randall, assistant head, said: “Our admiration and thanks goes to all of our performers who have worked tirelessly and willingly over the last month at lunchtimes to rehearse.

“Our students are a huge force for good in the wider community, promoting so many of the social skills that are central to our values at Steyning.”

This charity day is co-ordinated by student peer educators and listeners for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It involves all students from years seven to 13 and staff across the school, who join together to wear as many items of pink clothing as possible.

It launched with the Pink Day Dance Spectacular, which saw the sixth form college football teams, rugby team and basketball team perform a special dance routine, clad in pink outfits.

The annual tradition, always the highlight of the day, was enhanced this year by the appearance of history teacher Joe Blatch.

Luke Talbot, director of sport, said he was extremely proud of the commitment and zest shown by the sports teams.

The dance spectacular was choreographed by A-level dance students Poppy Brady and Maia Stables, assisted by AS-level dance students Alice Evans, Caitlin Cheeseman, Anna Mosely, Milly Robinson, Maisie Ross-Talbot and Ciara Russell.

Head girl Olivia Francis had her 45cm plaits cut off in aid of the Little Princess Trust, a Brighton-based charity that make real hair wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy.

She spoke to students about her decision to make a personal contribution and raise awareness of the trust’s work.

All 528 sixth form students were given a presentation by student peer educators, as part of the personal health and social education programme. This covered risk factors, symptoms, detection, diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer as well as details of the charity.

Some of the money raised will be used to fund local mammogram screening for early breast cancer detection.

The total was boosted by a charity match earlier in the week, which saw the sixth form netball team play against members of the football and rugby teams to support teenagers in the area with cancer.

The campaign continues this month, with sixth form college students and the Rotary Interact Club supporting Movember to raise awareness of male cancers.

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