Big Hoot Trail

Raising money for charity – Big Hoot

Cole Rutter has created his own Big Hoot trail around the school to raise money for charity.

Cole decorated the school’s classrooms with his hand-drawn and coloured owls. During his free time, Year 9 Cole meticulously recreated all 50 owls involved in the Big Hoot trail that was placed around Ipswich during the summer months.

He also created a map, outlining the position of each owl, just like the Big Hoot.

Cole raised money for the Arthur Rank Hospice charity based in Cambridge, which helps people with advanced serious illnesses or life-limiting conditions, as well as those in need of end-of-life care.

He chose this charity to remember Mrs Huckfield, a former teacher at the school who passed away.

Karen Baldwin, principal, said: “I am so proud of Cole and the exceptional progress he has made since joining us at Stoke High School.

“His replication of the Big Hoot was enjoyed and appreciated by students in Year 6, 7 and 8 and helped get students excited to return to school following the holidays. We feel very proud and lucky to have Cole here with us. Everyone here was very touched that Cole chose to raise money for the Arthur Rank Hospice, in memory of the late Mrs Huckfield, who is greatly missed by all.”

Like the Big Hoot, the trail ended with an auction, with all 50 owls being sold.