Middlesbrough teaching assistant follows viral Shrek beanies with handmade Smurf hats for her class

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Jun 21, 2023

Middlesbrough teaching assistant follows viral Shrek beanies with handmade Smurf hats for her class

Chris Dowie from North Ormesby Primary Academy has made Smurf beanies for all the pupils in her class. Get the latest news from Darlington direct to your inbox with our free email newsletter We have

Chris Dowie from North Ormesby Primary Academy has made Smurf beanies for all the pupils in her class.

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A Middlesbrough teaching assistant whose Shrek beanies she made for every child in her class went viral has now followed this up with some crocheted Smurf hats.

Chris Dowie, a HLTA at North Ormesby Primary Academy, has delighted her students by making them all handcrafted ‘Smurf’ style beanie hats. The initiative follows the success of her ‘Shrek’ hats two years ago which gained widespread national and regional attention and went viral online, capturing the attention of celebrities such as Carol Vorderman, Steph McGovern and Kate Beckinsale.

Mrs Dowie was inspired by the characters from the Smurf franchise and has spent the last few months designing and crafting the hats. Her passion for “creating memorable experiences” is loved by her class and colleagues who appreciate her enthusiasm for putting in effort to keep her pupils engaged.

Read More: The story of Mrs Dowie's hand made Shrek beanies for every kid in her class goes viral

Mrs Dowie said: “I just can’t say no! Siblings of previous Year 6 children in the ‘Shrek hat cohort’ asked what hat I was going to crochet for them. I certainly didn’t think the Smurf hats through - a hat wearing a hat brought its challenges!

“It has just become a NOPA tradition! I’m already working on what to do next year which will also be when I retire! I’d also like to say thanks to a parent who helped me and I am training her to take up the crocheting mantle.”

Helen Charlton, principal at North Ormesby Primary Academy, said: “We are incredibly fortunate to have Chris as part of our family here at North Ormesby. Her willingness to take on creative and imaginative projects like this show her incredible dedication to her pupils.

“This will not only enhance their learning experience but also create lasting memories for these children. At North Ormesby we believe that education is not just about books and exams, but rather about nurturing creativity, offering new and enriching experiences, and developing every aspect of a pupil’s character.

“Chris’ dedication to engaging her pupils in fun and imaginative ways is a testament to how she has embraced our desire is to create an unforgettable school experience for our pupils. We are immensely proud of Chris and her invaluable contribution to our education community.

“It is truly lovely to see how excited our pupils are by wearing their hats and we look forward to seeing what next year will bring!”