Kite-flying gives Hatfield school international perspective

Hatfield school pupils made and flew their own kites to gain an insight into the problems children face in war-torn Afghanistan.

Students of Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School marked Refugee Week by supporting the Kites not Drones initiative.

Melissa Jackson, head of health, explained: “In Afghanistan, where flying kites has great cultural significance, the perfect kite-flying weather also provides perfect conditions for drones, whose bombs have left children fearful when they play.”

Fourteen forms across years seven eight and nine joined on the school field to fly the kites they had made, part of a programme of internationally-themed classes and events.

Before making the kites, the forms watched a short film about a child refugee from Afghanistan, explaining why people seek safer homes in Europe.

Head of humanities Janet Ruffhead added: “It went even better than I expected. Luckily, there was enough wind. A lot of staff and students said it was fantastic.”