Community events

The tercentenary shone a spotlight on our history, including the importance of our relationship with the town of Petersfield and the part that Churcher’s plays in the local community. Not only do we want to enhance the impact the School can make – whether hosting or lending support to activities and events in Petersfield – through the anniversary, we also wanted to reinforce the pupil’s responsibility to their local community and give them all an opportunity to contribute. It is also important that we continue to find ways in which we can bring our wider community together – a 300th anniversary giving us the perfect platform to do so.

Remembrance The School held its annual Remembrance Concert at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield on the evening of Wednesday 10 November, with the Senior Orchestra, Junior Choir, SSA Choir, Barbershop and Senior Choir all performing. On Thursday 11 November, Churcher’s College commemorated Armistice Day with a special morning service followed by a procession through the School’s war memorial whilst the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) of Army, Navy and RAF cadets stood in formation beside the memorial.

Churcher’s Golf Day Following an 18-month absence, we managed to fit in not one, but two, Churcher’s Golf Days in the past year… In October 2021, 64 Old Churcherians, Senior School and Junior School parents (past and present), local businesses and other supporters came together at Petersfield Golf Club to participate in a competitive but friendly team event, which was repeated again the following May. Following the welcome bacon butties, the four ball teams teed off with a shotgun start. Two ‘halfway houses’, well stocked with Churcher’s 1722 pale ale, other beverages and snacks, kept people fed and watered during play. Not just about the team event, players also competed in a number of competitions for individual bragging rights. After the golf, it was dinner, speeches, the raffle and prize giving, including the winning team captain receiving the coveted ‘Green(ish) Jacket’. Ending up with the Churcher’s minibus ferrying those still in the mood off to The Queen’s Head. Both days were an outstanding success, raising £8,000 for the Richard Churcher Foundation and the provision of bursaries at Churcher’s. A big thank you to… all of our sponsors – Agilico, Alitex, Navigate Capital Management, Robison, Sodexo Independents and The Queen’s Head; to our steering group of Old Churcherians, parents and local businesses who have all been incredibly helpful behind the scenes, whether providing valuable advice, signing up sponsors and teams or providing raffle items; to all our volunteers, without whose help we could not manage the day; and last but not least, to all the players for entering into the spirit of the occasion and helping us to raise much needed funds for the Foundation.

If you would like to take part in the next Churcher’s Golf Day, please contact Nick in the Development Office, or you can sign up at Churcher’s Community.

Tercentenary Wood Delivering action in the face of the climate crisis our planet finds itself in, as well creating a public space for the whole Petersfield community to enjoy, the School community came together to establish Tercentenary Wood. Planting took place across three days on the 8, 9, and 10 February at Penns Place in Petersfield. Pupils, staff members, School Governors, parent volunteers and local community supporters were all given the opportunity to plant one of 15 different tree varieties, all native to the UK – 1,800 trees in total. As part of the tree planting efforts, pupils were asked to decorate a non-bleached, biodegradable coffee filter with ‘a message of hope’ for our planet, which they planted with their tree.

The initiative also marked another significant anniversary, Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, when we were all encouraged to plant a tree to mark 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom.

Grand Summer Concert

1,800 people flood through the School’s gates to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Churcher’s in style at the Grand Summer Open Air Concert. Performances from the School’s orchestras and bands as well as the Tercentenary Chorus, including hundreds of pupils, staff, Old Churcherians, parents and friends of Churcher’s, included varied items as ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ to ‘O Fortuna’ from Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’ through to ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ by Guns ‘n’ Roses. There was even a rendition of the school song which was very warmly received by the OCs in the audience!

Petersfield Community Fair The day after the night before, the Grand Summer Concert, Churcher’s College hosted the Petersfield Community Fair, offering local charities, schools, clubs, societies and other groups in Petersfield and the surrounding area the opportunity to promote and raise awareness for all the fantastic work they undertake.

With free entry, thousands of people came through the School gates and more than 40 local charities, community organisations and businesses took part in the day. Local music and dance groups – including Italia Conti, Petersfield Academy of Dance, The Petersfield School, SOS From The Kids and Petersfield’s Queen tribute act, It’s a Kind of Tragic – got the chance to perform on the giant festival-sized stage. Children’s entertainment included giant inflatable slides, carousel rides, face painting and crafts and there was plenty of food and drink available from a variety of street stalls. The atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed, with perfect weather conditions. The day was billed as ‘Fun for all the Family’ and there truly was something for everyone…