Toe tapping at Akooramak as students spread festive cheer

TEACHER inspired by her own mother's experience to share some young spirit with residents.

NEW FRIEND: Akooramak resident Grace Hill with School of Total Education Year 4 student Stella Leslie, 9. Picture: Elyse Wurm

THERE was lots of toe tapping and head bopping at Akooramak this morning when three young performers visited to spread a bit of Christmas cheer.

The School of Total Education students visited the residential aged care home to play some music on the piano, sing songs and hand out some cleverly made origami Christmas trees.

Teacher Keiko Brailey said an experience shared by her own mother while she was staying in an aged care home in Japan gave her the idea for the visits.

"My mother said to me, 'Not many young people come to visit us',” Ms Brailey said.

"Last year when we visited to make craft, I noticed they looked into the students' faces all the time, so I thought it might be the same here as it is in Japan.”

Akooramak resident Grace Hill said she enjoyed the visits as it was something different.

"I wouldn't part with it,” she said.

She particularly enjoyed receiving an origami Christmas tree from student Stella Leslie, as she is quite the crafter herself.

Mrs Hill has been working on a crochet Santa Claus and snowman in time for the festive season.

It comes after she worked on creations for Jumpers and Jazz in July as well as for Bryson's Place.

She said it was good to see younger people taking up the hobby she loves.

"It's using their hands and their heads. It's handy when you get a bit older,” she said.

The students finished their visit with a rendition of Yankee Doodle, sung in both Japanese and English with a little dance routine.

Student Stella Leslie, 9, said she was more than happy to make the trip.

"The atmosphere is very cheerful,” she said.

Ms Brailey said the students showed commitment as they used their own time to visit the residents at Akooramak.

"It's morning tea time but they don't go to play,” she said.

"They're hard workers.”