Dedicated Oasis Academy Clarksfield teaching assistant delivers birthday cards to pupils during lockdown

A primary school teaching assistant wanting to spread cheer to pupils on their birthday has been surprising youngsters with a postcard from their school.

Saba Kazmi, a primary school teacher from Oasis Academy Clarksfield situated in Oldham has been delivering postcards through the letterboxes of pupils’ houses during her daily one hour of exercise.

Pupils have loved receiving the cards during their lockdown birthdays. Mrs Kazmi has delivered over twenty cards so far and plans to do more in the weeks ahead.

Nigel Fowler, Principal at Oasis Academy Clarksfield, said; “During this time of enforced separation we wanted our children to know we care and are missing them.”

“As our site is currently shut our Regional Team kindly helped us to produce a little birthday card so we could let our children know we are thinking of them and to wish them a happy Birthday. It’s great that these are being well received and many thanks to Mrs Kazmi who has very kindly offered to make this project work and to ensure we send our best wishes to our children on their birthdays. Keep safe and see you all hopefully very soon.”

Saba Kazmi, Teaching Assistant at Oasis Academy Clarksfield, and the member of staff who volunteered to distribute the cards, said; “In a time of immense change especially for our children, we wanted to do something that would show the kids that there is an ounce of normality in all this and that we were still there for them. Seeing the children respond with smiles and happiness gives you a sense of real togetherness in strange times.”

A pupil who was lucky enough to receive one of Mrs Kazmi’s birthday cards was Abu-Bakar, now aged 8, his mum added; “Abu-Bakar was very happy to receive his birthday postcard. He ran towards the front window to wave to his teacher. It truly put a smile on his face, thank you.”

Oasis Academy Clarksfield have been working hard to support their children and families despite being closed.