The Charities' Committee have had a very busy start to the year, from helping out at the bi-annual Friends of Norwich School Ball to organising Home Clothes Day, the committee have been getting involved with every aspect of School Life, always ready to lend a hand.
We hear from co-chairs, Jacob Stevenson and Billy Francis, to get a sense of how the year is going so far...
Jacob: "This year the Charities Committee has become one of the most popular extra-curricular activities seeing over 30 pupils engage in helping a wider community through providing assistance at events and organising home clothes days. The charity of the term for Michaelmas was Cancer research UK who we supported through a home clothes day. We were also approached by Samaritans of Norwich asking for help and some of the committee visited the new charity shop in Norwich and helped redecorate their old branch so they could sell it. Those who helped also received a tour of the Norwich location which taught them how important their work is. Our next task was working the Friends of Norwich School Guys and Dolls ball which was great fun for all involved.
Before Christmas we held a food collection for future projects which resulted in a van full of food that moved a volunteer to tears. After our amazing experience helping the Samaritans in Michaelmas term we decided to select them as charity of the term. We also decided to support Priscilla Bacon Hospice by holding an event held in honour of the leap year called ‘Challenge 29’ which tasked the whole school to raise £29 through the support of friends and family by completing a challenging task every day or doing one big task related to 29. Whilst giving back to our community we have also been planning for our ‘Trinity Term Dinner’ which is the high anticipated formal dinner for the Lower 6. To get experience for setting up this event we were tasked by our predecessors of last years Charities Committee to help set up for the Horatio Society ball which provided us with some helpful advice and information on how we can best set up our own event.
Looking ahead to Trinity term we are tasked with organising the Fashion Show which will be a highlight of the year to all involved. The Committee is incredibly proud of what they have done so far and we will continue to provide a helping hand to as many causes as possible."
Billy: "The Charities Committee have been remarkably busy last term.
Things started with Jacob, Rose, Ava, Beth, Colette and Bea alongside Mrs Hill and Mrs Stevenson gave up their weekend to show support for the Samaritans by helping paint their old retail unit. The following week the school held a collection for the Samaritans donating items to be sold in their new shop.
Morgan, Vishnu, Xing, Elliot, Chessy, Rose, Freya, Jacob, Ava, Mia, and Zanna helped with the friends of Norwich school charity ball setting up the tables, selling raffle tickets, and managing the silent auction!
Cancer Research was selected as the Michaelmas term charity, raising £1,800.79 across many events, such as Home Clothes Day, the annual carol service and the senior musical guys and dolls.
Mia, Chessy, Alice, and Jacob helped at the ‘Keeping abreast’ stand in the forum, helping run a tombola and selling pens, Christmas cards and second-hand books.
Yona, Katie, Elliot, and Eva helped with the Special Schools’ Carol Service, showing schools to their seats, and offering assistance when needed.
Finally, on Christmas jumper day, Jacob, Jemima, Mia, Billy, Rose, Eva, Katie, Kiera, Zanna, Tuesday, Nat, and Alice helped collect canned food donations for ‘Future project’ which filled up a whole van!
Now moving on to the lent term. After getting the initial idea from Mr Manton, the Charities Committee created a new fundraising event called ‘Challenge 29’ where pupils would complete something every day for the 29 days of February, with a donation of £29 to the Priscilla Bacon Hospice. Special mention to Kyle Stevens for his honourable dedication to supporting the charity and the challenge, through social media and his impressive 1-minute plank per day, everyday!"
