Schoolchildren yesterday lent a hotel a hand and helped decorate a Christmas tree.

Primary 6 pupils from Heron Bay Primary School helped to get Grotto Bay Beach Resort ready for the festive season by decorating one of the resort’s trees. A spokeswoman for the resort said that the Southampton school had been selected to decorate the tree because of one special pupil.

She said that A’Meerah Richardson-Swan, who had visited the resort last year as part of a school project, “stole our hearts with her bubbly personality and we are smitten with her”.

The spokeswoman added in a letter to Heron Bay principal Francine McMahon: “She is a gem.”

She said that A’Meerah had “single-handedly” ensured the school was picked to decorate the tree.

A’Meerah said that she had a “great talk” with a staff member at the resort during her visit last year. She added: “I became an ambassador for Grotto Bay.”

A’Meerah said that she had spent some of her lunch hours to help prepare ornaments and that she and her classmates had a enjoyed decorating the tree.

She added: “I feel that we did a great job.”

Ms McMahon said that pupils had enjoyed the day. She added: “What was more exciting for them was the fact that their classmate was responsible for Heron Bay’s participation.”

Ms McMahon said that A’Meerah was a “born leader, who represents herself, family and school with pride”.

She added: “She is a well-rounded student who excels in anything she participates in.

“She tackles challenges head on and doesn’t quit until she has accomplished the task.”

Ms McMahon said that she “felt a sense of pride” that the school had been selected to take part in the event.

The school pupils picked the theme of “Santa’s Bermy Vacation” for decorations for the tree.

•Additional reporting by videographer Kyle McNeil