THE ASTRO APPEAL Raising our game
SAINT RONAN’S SCHOOL
‘…it’s about giving every pupil greater opportunity to play’
‘An astro is versatile. We can put it to use in so many ways.’ Natalie Hinchcliffe, Head of Girls’ Games
ON THE UP
Sport is an important part of school life – for everyone. And every child should have plenty of opportunity to represent their school. So we have increased the number of matches we play. We have also been raising our standards and are now winning more than we ever did. But to go further – to provide more sport, more opportunity – we need to meet a serious challenge.
A CLEAR NEED We have beautiful grounds but Saint Ronan’s sits on Wealden clay, so keeping our pitches playable when it’s wet is a challenge. Despite the best efforts of John, our Groundsman, rain stops play more than we would like. When this happens we feel the disappointment of the children acutely. There is an obvious solution to this. We plan to deliver it, but we need your help.
William Trelawny-Vernon Headmaster
A TOP PRIORITY
We have asked the pupils what they see as the Number One Priority development for the school; we have asked the parents and we have asked our staff. Pupil Council, Parental Survey, staff consultation… there is overwhelming agreement that one particular facility will take the school forward more than anything else.
AN ASTRO PITCH WILL RAISE CONFIDENCE Playing on astro improves the skill and confidence of players. This is why our pupils currently have a tough time in matches against schools which already have astro pitches.
‘Hockey will be transformed. Beyond this, the astro will provide a much-needed training area for a host of sports when the pitches are affected by rain. It will also be a wonderful teaching facility for use during lessons and for after-school and holiday clubs.’ Tim Fox, Head of Games
COUNT THE BENEFITS
A PERFECT SITE Forest School
Timbuctoo
HOCKEY We can host more matches We can invite guest coaches The standard of play will improve
Golf Course Sloper Bottom Ground
The Lake
Top Pitch
Tennis Courts
NETBALL Hockey and Netball will no longer conflict FOOTBALL For training
Salt Mines
The Gulch
Hammer Pond
Pinetium
Paradise Farm
RUGBY For training LACROSSE For training THE LIST GOES ON‌. Fitness work After school clubs Pre-prep PE lessons Cricket Running Athletics
Site of the astro pitch
THE SPECIFICATION Size: 70 X 40m Surface: Tiger Turf 40XQ polyethylene monofilament sand and rubber-filled synthetic grass. Permanent inlaid lines for hockey (other lines are easily painted on, as needed). Shockpad: 15mm rubber crumb shockpad Fencing: 3m high weldmesh Tiered viewing area
A TRADITION OF GENEROSITY
THE TARGET
TIMING
Saint Ronan’s is lucky to have the generous goodwill of everyone around it.
The astro pitch will cost approximately £310,000 to create, but thanks to school funds, the Ball and early pledges of support, we are already well on our way.
Appeal deadline: 1st June (end of Half Term)
In 2008, as the country went into recession, we raised £350K towards the Founder’s Hall. We were only able to do this thanks to the generosity of parents and Old Ronians and the obvious need for the facility. The astro pitch follows on naturally from the Founder’s Hall and the goodwill continues. So we believe we can succeed again.
The sum left to raise is now £235,000.
When can we build the astro pitch? It’s all down to cash flow. If the majority of the appeal funds come in during 2014, we will be able to press ahead with construction over the summer, with completion possible in the autumn.
A PLEDGE, FOR NOW
This project is not a certainty. We can only go ahead with the astro pitch if we raise enough money. So for now, all we need is your pledge – a promise; not the actual money. If the appeal is a success, we will ask you to turn your promise into real money.
BY THE SQUARE METRE Square metres
(40% tax-rate payer)
Net cost
Total face value of donation
Value of donation with Gift Aid
Monthly payments (4 yrs)
200
£15,000
£20,000
£25,000
£417
120
£9,000
£12,000
£15,000
£250
GIVING OVER TIME
80
£6,000
£8,000
£10,000
£167
When it comes to setting up your donation, you can choose to give it as a lump sum or phase it over a number of years.
60
£4,500
£6,000
£7,500
£125
40
£3,000
£4,000
£5,000
£83
20
£1,500
£2,000
£2,500
£42
1 0 10
£750
£1,000
£1,250
£21
5
£375
£500
£625
£10
Gift Aid makes being a major donor possible. For instance, if you pay tax at 40%, you can give a donation £5,000 (including Gift Aid) and the net cost will be £3,000 – or £750 per year for four years. Use the form, or pledge online: www.saintronans.co.uk/astro
Total area of pitch: 2,800 square metres
THE ASTRO APPEAL TEAM We have created a team to plan the work, to help us express the true significance of this project and to galvanise the Saint Ronan’s community to back it. Christian Brodie (Old Ronian,1965-69, and past parent)
Tara Bromley (current parent: Yr1 & Nursery) Katie Clarke (current parent: Yr6, Yr5, Yr1) Alex Durtnell (current parent: Yr6, Yr3) Jonathan Neame (Old Ronian,1972-77) Henry Spence (Old Ronian,1977-82, and current parent: Yr5, Yr3, YrR) Vicki Stewart (current parent: Yr7, Yr4) Zoe Wilmoth (current parent: Yr7, Yr1) Tim Wooff (current parent: Yr5) Katie Wyatt (current parent: Yr8, Yr5, Yr2)
Saint Ronan’s School Water Lane, Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 5DJ www.saintronans.co.uk/astro
Registered Charity 1066420