Loo roll challenge video by staff at Bognor school gets ‘incredible’ response

A total of 33 staff members at Nyewood CE Infant School in Brent Road, Bognor Regis, took part – click here to watch the clip.

Teacher Sandra Smart, who coordinated the video, said she was inspired by watching a similar challenge by the Sussex Tornadoes Cheerleading Group.

She said: “It inspired me to spread a little happiness amongst our staff and children at this difficult time.

“It seemed like a good ‘boredom buster’ for staff who were self-isolating at the time and brought us all together again as we laughed at each others outtakes in our ‘Virtual Staffroom’.”

The video includes appearances by the headteacher, the chairman of governors, a cleaner (in an off camera role) and the newest member of the school’s family – two-week-old baby Harriet O’Leary.

Sandra said: “Our school motto ‘Smiling, caring and learning together on a journey with God’ encompasses all we do at Nyewood and it now takes on even more meaning during these current challenging times.

“We wanted to reach out to our families during lock-down to remind them that they are still at the forefront of our hearts and minds despite the distance between us.

“The situation is incredibly tough for everyone and to be able to spread a little joy and laughter was something we took great pleasure in doing.”

The response from pupils and their families has been ‘incredible’ – with more than 50,000 people watching the clip.

Comments on the video post have been left from people in Perth, Australia, and an ex-pupil who attended the school 50 years ago.

Children and their families have since been inspired to create their own videos.

Sandra said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the staff for their humour, creativity and energy not only in this video, but in day to day school life.

“Although we are one big family, each staff member brings something unique and special to the children at our school and that is definitely reflected in the diversity of clips in the video.”

Anna Wells, headteacher at the school, said: “I am so proud of our wonderful staff who have risen to the challenge to provide care and learning (and laughter!) for the children both in school and at home at this time and this video represents what we are all about in our Nyewood Family.”

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