Tower and Town, November 2022

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Letters To Papers: On Hungry Children

As part of the Year 11 Creative writing GCSE course, students at St. John’s were asked to find a newspaper article which interested them and formulate a concise response using the principles of rhetoric. They were then asked to submit their letter to the paper in which the article originated. Some very strong, emotive and genuine letters were submitted, showing an engagement and thoughtfulness about current affairs that affect them and their peers. Across the next few pages is a sample of these letters. Another of our students, Mia Pitts, actually had hers published in the Guardian on 30th September, should you like to read it there.

The headline by Anna Fazackerley, ‘Schools in England warn of crisis of ‘heartbreaking’ rise in hungry children’ is a very topical issue that deserves more attention. Our future is in the youths’ hands, yet we still can’t seem to make a change for the better.

Food is a necessity in everyone’s lives: it provides the nutrients we need to simply function daily. Many of us take it for granted, having a plate full of crispy roast potatoes and a warm roast chicken engulfed by a piping hot gravy that melts the flavours together on your tongue. However, for many who are struggling in poverty, this is maybe a once in a lifetime phenomenon; for them they don’t complain if mum hasn’t cooked their peas right, for them all they desire is something to fill their aching stomachs.

The recent pandemic opened our eyes to the injustice in society, where many children struggled to obtain a meal every day. However, this is still happening as we speak, more and more families are asking for aid from charities and schools due to the increase in the cost of living. The age range for free school meals is only from reception to year two, why is this? Surely the issue doesn’t disintegrate as they grow older?

All youth should feel a sense of equality throughout their school years, no one should feel as if they are less valuable. I am a student myself, and I am exposed to the harsh reality, how some children just can’t afford lunch therefore go without it or feel guilt ridden every time they buy lunch, as they understand how this is affecting their parents.

Our youth are crumbling in front of us. What are we going to do about it?

Sophie Collister