Veterans were treated to a Christmas lunch cooked by Highfields students.
Dozens of veterans from the Army, Royal Air Force and Navy were joined by representatives of Age UK Wolverhampton and Rotary Club members for the three-course lunch.
The meal was prepared by Sixth Form Catering students, supported by Health & Social students from Years 8 and 9, and with the help of Mitchell Burrows, Junior Sous Chef of the Mount Hotel in Wolverhampton. Service was conducted under the supervision of The Mount Hotel’s General Manager, Neil Wyatt.
Mr Burrows praised our ‘exceptional’ students and said they dished up a ‘fantastic’ meal.
Organised by Wolverhampton St George’s Rotary Club, the event formed part of the friendship scheme run by Age UK Wolverhampton and supported by Armed Forces charity, SSAFA, to ensure veterans are not alone.
As part of the festive celebrations, guests were also treated to a performance by the school’s choir.
It is the second time Highfields has hosted the event, and guests said they had enjoyed a fantastic afternoon.
Keith Sedgebeer, Highfields’ Chair of Governors, said: “We are delighted to welcome our group for the second time for their Christmas lunch.
“As always, it was a great treat to see them all - and not looking a year older.
“We very much hope we will be able to host them again next year.
“We are very grateful to the Wolverhampton St George’s Rotary Club for yet again organising the event. Finally, we’re incredibly grateful to all the youngsters at Highfields who helped in so many ways to make it such as successful event."
Miss B Chima, Interim Head of Food Technology, said: “It was a huge undertaking and we have been planning the event for weeks, but it has been great and we have enjoyed every minute of the process.
“It is the second Christmas we have welcomed Rotary Club members and veterans into school, and we were delighted to treat them to a delicious Christmas meal.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the students involved for their hard work, as well as chef Mitchell Burrows, Mount Hotel General Manager, Neil Wyatt, and Events co-ordinator, Chris, who supported the event.
“Thank you also to Mr Thompson for supplying artwork to showcase at the event, and to Mr Brittle for providing Christmas decorations.
“It went really well and the students did a fantastic job. Our guests were very impressed with their efforts.”
Rotary Club Members described the event as ‘phenomenal’.
Steve Glass, said: “It was absolutely phenomenal. They improve every year and the service was brilliant. The entertainment was also great, it was lovely to hear such beautiful voices.”
Fellow Rotary Club member, Val Astbury, said: “The students were all very polite and helpful, and the food was beautiful. I think the choir are just amazing.
“I’ve had a lovely afternoon and I look forward to coming next year.”
Students said they had learnt so much from the experience.
Year 13 Catering student, Simran Bigra, said: “It has been a great experience through which I have learnt a lot of new skills. My favourite part of the event was being able to cook on a professional level for a large group of people.”