Pupils and Staff Spread Festive Joy in the Community
Being part of our local community is a valuable aspect of RGS life for pupils, teachers and parents alike. During the academic year 2020-21 alone, RGS Schools raised over £22,000 supporting various local initiatives and charitable campaigns.
An important part of pupils’ development is built around supporting others. This ethos was exemplified in December with the many fundraising activities held across the four RGS Schools ranging from; Christmas swims and reindeer walks, to gift-boxing and jumper-wearing for local charities such as Worcester Street Cafe, New Hope Children’s Charity, Save The Children and Worcester Community Trust.
Throughout December, Year Eight pupils at RGS Worcester and their families created Christmas shoeboxes for the children who attend New Hope Children’s Charity in Worcester. New Hope runs holiday and Saturday clubs for children aged 6-19 who have a variety of additional needs and disabilities.
Organiser and Acting Head of Year Eight, Sally Houchin, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our RGS families. Our pupils filled 62 boxes with all sorts of thoughtful gifts; hats and gloves, sweets and chocolates, books, stationary, toys and toiletries, with the showboxes then beautifully wrapped and containing a handwritten card or gift tag for the child receiving the gift, wishing them a very Merry Christmas.”
New Hope added: “Thanks to the students at RGS in Worcester for donating an amazing 62 Christmas boxes to our children, it’s a wonderful gesture and one we know the children and their families will really appreciate.”
Pupils at RGS Worcester also raised funds for the Worcester Snoezelen, Acorns Children’s Hospice as well as continuing to collect donations for Worcester Foodbank.
During December, RGS Springfield created festive bags to give out at Worcester Street Cafe, which supports homeless and vulnerable people. This is part of their ongoing involvement with the charity – for several years. Springfield’s cook, Suzanne, with support from parents and staff, has regularly used the school’s kitchen to prepare food for the charity’s weekly cafe. Pupils from the School Council also helped Suzanne put together bags to give out at Christmas.
RGS Springfield Headmistress, Laura Brown, said: “The children have been so keen to get involved and were delighted to be able to do something that makes a difference, an approach we instil in everyone at RGS Springfield. A big thank you to all of our families for their huge generosity and kindness who helped support this charity, Suzanne is overwhelmed by the support given.”
RGS Dodderhill pupils also played their part this year by coming to school in their jazziest jumpers on Christmas Jumper Day to raise money for the international charity Save The Children who support children in over 100 countries to transform their lives.
RGS Dodderhill Headmistress, Sarah Atkinson, said: “There was a wide range of sparkly and Christmas themed outfits on show and the day was great fun, as well as enlightening our pupils about the important aspects of supporting charities in this way. Again, a huge thankyou to the pupils and their parents for getting involved and raising money for such an important cause.”
Christmas fundraising and fun also took place at RGS The Grange, including a Christmas Swim and a Reindeer Walk and Run. The school has already been supporting the Worcester Community Trust as its chosen charity of the year. The Trust supports various projects across the City to improve health and wellbeing, enhancing skills, and bringing people together. During the last week of term pupils got involved and raised money through their combined efforts either in the pool or around the school site.
RGS The Grange Head, Gareth Hughes, said: “We didn’t expect to see children swimming or running for the full allotted time but that’s what they all did. Everyone was fully committed! So far the combined total of the Christmas collection in Worcester Cathedral and our other activities is around £3,000.”
Worcester Community Trust added: “We’ve have had an amazing morning supporting RGS The Grange in their #bigchristmasswim. Well done to everyone that took part and big shout out to those at school taking part in the reindeer walk. They have raised an amazing amount for @WCTrust we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.”
RGS Worcester Family of Schools Executive Head, John Pitt, said: “We have seen exceptional amounts of support, compassion and involvement across the four RGS Schools and has been a combined effort between each school, pupils and parents. Christmas is also an important time to reflect and offer our help to those who are in need.
Particularly with Covid in mind, the need to support local causes and assist local charities and international concerns have been at the forefront of our minds, as well as being at the heart of our shared values throughout the whole RGS family.”
The RGS Worcester Family of Schools offer sincere thanks to the RGS community for supporting pupils in their fundraising activities, which bring much reward to all involved.
