A NINE-year-old girl's kindness was commended after she helped a girl who could not speak any English to settle in to her new school.

Ambleside Primary School's Nicole Dix was given a special award for the outstanding kindness and friendship she showed to a new girl in her class who was from Eastern Europe.

Year 4 pupil Nicole noticed that the girl was very quiet and found it difficult to join in with the others because she could not understand what they were saying.

Nicole decided to make friends with the girl called Marieka and help her learn English. She met up with Marieka and another friend every Thursday evening to spend time speaking English and playing together out of school.

Teachers at school soon noticed a real change in Marieka, who was soon confident enough to join in with everyone else and share fun in the playground.

The school staff were so impressed with Nicole’s thoughtfulness towards her new friend that they had no hesitation in nominating her for the Jimmy Renouf Memorial Cup. It is presented each year to someone who has been exceptionally kind and thoughtful.

Jimmy, a former pupil at Ambleside, died of leukaemia when he was only eight.

The award is presented in memory of Jimmy’s cheerful and friendly nature, and to encourage other children to be kind and thoughtful too.

Jimmy’s mother, Jane Renouf, said the family had always intended the award to reflect the importance of thinking about others.

She said: “It’s wonderful that being kind and thoughtful to others remains at the heart of life at Ambleside Primary School, and Nicole’s welcoming kindness and the way she befriended someone new to Ambleside and to life in this country is the perfect example.”