Today at William Ford, we proudly marked Colombia Day, celebrating both the start of a new school term and our long-standing partnership with Colombia. It was a joy to welcome the children back and to see so many dressed in the colours of the Colombian flag, creating a vibrant and purposeful atmosphere across the school.

At William Ford, we are proud to sponsor four children in Colombia, one linked to each year group. This partnership goes far beyond fundraising or sending money. It is about building genuine relationships through letters, sharing work, learning about one another’s lives, and embedding Colombia meaningfully into our curriculum. Pupils grow up with a real understanding that they are connected to children their own age on the other side of the world.

Our day began with a visit from Colin and Karen from Stand By Me, who shared updates on our sponsored children and described how they celebrated Christmas in Guajamao, Colombia. The children also learnt a song that pupils in Guajamao sing, giving a powerful sense of shared experience and connection.

This visit also marked a special milestone. For the first time, the winning year group from our Achieving the Most Green Points initiative was able to choose a gift for their sponsored child. Year 4 earned this reward and selected a gift for their sponsored child, Nailin, linking positive behaviour, responsibility, and global compassion in a very real way.

Throughout the day, pupils across the school were immersed in learning linked to Colombia. They explored its geography, developed an awareness of language, used iPads to research the country, and learnt about Colombian art and culture. Creative work reflected traditional patterns, colours, and cultural influences, bringing learning to life.

Colombia Day is just one way we mark this important partnership, but it reflects something deeper. Our pupils are not simply learning about another country. They are learning what it means to build relationships, show generosity, and understand their place in a wider world.