• We are fortunate to have 9 primary and 9 high schools/colleges as well as 3 Universities which faithfully support Sylvia in many ways. We hope to increase this number in 2012.
• UK children and students gain a great insight into how others live and what one determined woman can achieve by faith and hard work.
• Sylvia visits the schools each year on request. The children in India are thrilled to have such friends.
• School to school communication is encouraged. All of our schools are keen to maintain contacts with their sponsored children through exchanging photographs, cards and letters. Email can also be used in a limited way.
• The possibility of setting up school to school video links is also being explored.

We are always seeking new schools who may wish to benefit from such activities.
Their fund raising is also much appreciated.

If you know an educational institution which might be interested please contact Mrs Pat Bailes, our Schools' Co-ordinator, on 0113 2037228 or Mr Andrew Lowe (Secondary Schools) on 01937 531512 or send an email to: schools@sylviawright.org
We will be delighted to arrange for a speaker to come to the school or college and give a brief talk (with powerpoint if appropriate) at assemblies, in the classroom or to any group of students, pupils, staff or parents. We also have leaflets, newsletters and copies of the Sylvia Wright Story on DVD which can support follow up lessons if the school/college so wishes.

Examples of support:

Rangammal School for Deaf Children in India now produces a monthly Newsletter (with many fascinating photographs). This is made available in either hard copy or via email to schools on request. It is a very colourful and useful resource for schools and sponsors.
 
A photograph of Rangammal School pupils and staff taken in 2011 is available to schools on request. Some schools have framed copies on display.

Our UK supporting schools also receive the SWT Newsletter during the academic year initially by email but more recently on CD. The latter is a good means of sharing the newsletter as it allows whole-school access. The Newsletter can also been downloaded from this website (See News Page). Multiple copies are available on request. Again, please contact Pat Bailes or Andrew Lowe.

Secondary Schools, Colleges & Universities

Concert for Sylvia

A fine cast of musicians, singers and dancers entertained an appreciative audience of over 300 people at Notre Dame Sixth Form College in Leeds on Sunday 9 May 2010. The concert in aid of the Sylvia Wright Trust raised over £3,000 to support Sylvia Wright and her work among the poor, sick and disabled in Tamil Nadu, one of the poorest states in India.
Staff and students from the four Leeds Catholic High Schools combined enthusiastically at Notre Dame Sixth Form College to stage the concert. Outstanding performances by the Cardinal Heenan Madrigal Group, Corpus Christi Eyelash Dance Company, Mount St Mary’s Gospel Singers, Notre Dame Indian Dancers, soloist Tessa Koenig and St Mary’s Menston Gentle Breeze Band were supported by the harmonies of Leeds University Medics Choir ( Cantores Medicorum )  and The Lawnswood Singers (some of whom used to go to school with Sylvia).
The performers showed great determination and dedication in overcoming many obstacles in the lead up to the concert. These included meeting important course work deadlines, preparing for summer examinations, undergoing Ofsted inspections and finding ways round the Leeds Half Marathon road closures which disrupted the morning dress rehearsal. Leeds medical student, Adam Grice, actually ran in the race in a time of I hour and 17 minutes but still had enough breath to join in the singing of ‘Hallelujah!’ appropriately enough. The Mount St Mary’s Gospel Singers walked from the Central Bus Station to get to Notre Dame just in time for the concert.
Their conductor, Mrs Cathy Hindle, said: “It was a lovely concert and a great experience for our pupils.”
The whole cast combined in the Grand Finale with a rousing rendition of ‘You Raise Me Up’ conducted by Sally Barnes accompanied by former Diocesan Director of Music, Stuart Thompson  This raised the spirits of the audience as well as much needed funds for the Sylvia Wright Trust.
Sylvia Wright was a member of the audience and, during post-concert refreshments, took part in a Question & Answer session with her usual honest and illuminating replies. After drawing the raffle for a Helicopter Flight, won by Mr Harry Lee from Stockport, Sylvia was presented with a cheque for £150 by Indian Dancer, Reshma Anie Jose, on behalf of the Notre Dame Student Senate.

“It was a great way for so many people to support Sylvia’s wonderful work in Tamil Nadu,” said Tony Allinson, Chairman of the Leeds-based Sylvia Wright Trust.
“We were delighted by the brilliant support of the schools and the high quality of the entertainment provided.  We are most grateful to all the performers who gave their time and talents so generously, to Notre Dame Sixth Form College for allowing us to use their excellent facilities and to all those who came along.”