St Paul's Primary schoolchildren in Portsmouth show thanks to NHS and key workers with giant rainbow

As the rainbow has become the symbol of hope during lockdown, the pupils at St Paul’s Primary School in Paulsgrove wanted to create an image with a personal touch of their appreciation.

Year 4 key worker pupil, Evie Sawdy, said: ‘Our handprints in the rainbow represent us working together to get us through this hard time.’

Classmate, Mark Injie, nine, added: ‘Key workers risked their own lives for us by treating our loved ones in need.’

Accompanying the giant rainbow is the message ‘we are forever grateful to all who kept us safe’.

Year 6 pupil, Joel Thomas, said: ‘This banner will certainly lift the spirits of the community so that we remember the times we have been through, the key workers and what they have done for us all.’

The 5m long banner will be displayed at the school’s entrance to remind pupils and visitors about the sacrifices made during the pandemic.

Acting head teacher, Zoe Killick, said: ‘Many of the children who created the rainbow have key worker parents and as a school community we wanted to show our thanks. The message it gives to our children is the need for communities to pull together and support each other during difficult times.’

SEE ALSO: 'Glad to be back' - The Cowplain School pupils talk about life in lockdown and returning to school

The banner was created from a collection of handprints which were pieced together to create the rainbow. Each bubble of children and staff were given an allocated colour which created a paper print. A photograph of the print was then taken and all the images were sent to the online Banner Company who created the final design.

The school asked former marketing and communications coordinator, Donna Johnson, to use her contacts to convert the handprints into the banner of thanks.

Donna said: ‘I was honoured to be asked to help out . These are unprecedented times and it is important we remember the sacrifices people have made. It is such an eye catching design and a fitting tribute to our key workers.’

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