A year of purpose: The heart of our community outreach by Revd Tim Buckler, Chaplain
Our Lower School pupils have embraced the spirit of giving with characteristic enthusiasm, particularly through their much-anticipated
prominent footballers, added an extra layer of excitement to the event. Beyond our focused support for SCH, our commitment to making a difference has extended to other important causes. A thoughtful bake sale organised by the Upper School charities committee raised funds for Breast Cancer UK, contributing to necessary awareness and research. Our College community also came together to donate more than 800 new and gently used books to the Children’s Book Project, ensuring that children with limited access to reading material will have the joy of owning their own books. Our annual Festive Jumper Day in December, a vibrant display of community spirit, raised nearly £2,000, which was split equally between Save the Children and Spring Community Hub. Furthermore, a staff charity football match generated in excess of £900 for Movember, supporting men’s health initiatives. Our concern for the wider community has also been powerfully demonstrated through our consistent support of local food banks. This year, we directed our many collections to Southwark Foodbank, West Norwood and Brixton Foodbank, Spring Community Hub, Paxton Green Foodbank, and Lewisham Foodbank. The response from pupils, parents, and staff was truly humbling. One member of the Middle School charity committee described the donations for Paxton Green food bank as “huge,” with collection points overflowing. Mrs. John-Baptiste shared the moving response of Alison, the director of Paxton Green Pantry, who was “literally speechless” at the sheer volume of donations, noting it was the largest they had ever received and would provide essential support for months to come. Ultimately, our dedicated support for Spring Community Hub, alongside our broader engagement in diverse charitable activities and food bank collections, reflects a deep-seated commitment within our College community to making a tangible and positive impact. These initiatives not only provide vital assistance to those in need but, perhaps more importantly, they cultivate within our pupils the essential values of empathy, service, and a genuine sense of community responsibility. ◎
bake sales. Ms Spencer Jolly, 7C tutor, spoke with pride of her form’s efforts: “[The class] were so generous with their labour and their contributions – I was totally blown away! … They really did themselves proud and
Alison, the director of Paxton Green Pantry, was “literally speechless” at the sheer volume of donations, noting it was the largest they had ever received
there were some standout helpers who spent the whole of lunch helping out in addition to morning break. They were absolutely brilliant as a whole form collective — I felt very proud to be their form tutor!” These small acts of generosity collectively make a significant impact. The whole College community has also rallied together through a number of non-uniform days, with the proceeds directed to SCH. Through these non-uniform days alone, we will have raised more than £10,000 — a substantial sum that will tangibly support the lives of those who rely on SCH’s crucial services. Just before the Christmas break, our Middle School orchestrated a truly heart-warming Secret Santa initiative for SCH. The thoughtfulness with which pupils selected gifts, based on individual details provided, resulted in over 200 high-qual- ity donations. These gifts undoubtedly brought much-needed joy and a sense of care to children and families during the festive season. The driving force behind so much of our charitable work lies within our Senior School charity committees, led with unwavering dedication by Mr Vaughan (Lower School), Mrs John-Baptiste (Middle School), and Mr Wignall (Upper School). Their enthusiasm and commitment are infectious. The annual Charity Football Quiz, a highlight of our fundraising calendar, was once again expertly planned and run by our Upper School charity committee. The Old Library buzzed with competitive energy as 46 participants from across the year groups tested their football knowledge, raising funds for SCH. The generosity of prize donations, including signed memorabilia from
W e are, I believe, at our best when we look beyond ourselves. This year, our partnership outreach has been focused on our Charity of the Year, the Camberwell- based Spring Community Hub (SCH). SCH offers a lifeline to many, providing crucial services that range from navigating the complexities of debt and welfare to offering guidance on housing and immigration, alongside practical training, business advice, and welcoming spaces for after- school clubs, women’s groups, a food bank, and a social supermarket. Their commitment to tackling the root causes of food insecurity and striving for a more equitable community resonates with the values we hold dear, and their dedication to fostering genuine, lasting change is inspiring. Our support for SCH has taken many forms. Beyond the essential fundraising, which allows SCH to continue its indispensable work, we’ve also seen significant practical support through donations of food and clothing — tangible acts of kindness that directly address immediate needs. Furthermore, the commitment of our pupils who volunteer weekly at SCH speaks volumes. One such pupil shared a powerful insight: “I usually spend an hour helping children with maths… In the second half of my volunteering, I either help the PE teacher… or I help with admin tasks… Overall, the experience has enabled me to gain organisation skills as well as learning how to teach across an age range of 5–13. My time at the community hub has been an invaluable experience so far and I hope to continue up until summer.” These words beautifully capture the
two-way nature of service: our pupils contribute meaningfully while simultaneously gaining critical skills and a broader understanding of the world around them. The vital nature of SCH’s work was brought into sharp focus when Naa Tackie and Sarah Jones from the Hub spoke to our Year 7, 8, and 9 pupils. Their message, delivered with clarity and passion, fostered a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families within our local area and illuminated the role SCH plays in offering a beacon of hope and support.
SCH’s dedication to fostering genuine, lasting change is inspiring
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