FUNDRAISINGNEWS 2018
Fundraising has always been a pleasurable experience for me in my time at Arnold House. It must be the certainty of knowing that whatever the cause, and disregarding the economic climate of the day, the support of parents, former parents, old boys, governors and friends of the School can be relied upon. Having
said that, it is true to say that current parents provide the horsepower and thrust to drive the fundraising engine in any campaign - be it the Bursary Fund, Annual Fund or wider charitable causes. The success of recent fundraising events, and the time and effort willingly given, underlines how generous this group has
been. In the broadest sense this reflects well on the School but the positive effect this collective effort has on the boys, helping them to understand the importance of giving, is immeasurable.. and for this we are enormously grateful. Viv Thomas Headmaster
GROWTH AND IMPACT OF THE BURSARY SCHEME The notion of bursaries was not at the front of the minds of the parent group when our elder son arrived at Arnold House in 2009, though in fairness none of us were initially looking beyond the day to day worry of our son losing his cap or his reading record in those very early days! Even though there was a boy with a full assisted place further up the school, and I later learnt had been one previously as well, this had been arranged very much on an ad-hoc basis and there was no formal policy yet in place. It was, however, very clear that there was a drive and commitment from the Headmaster and Governors to change this and the Bursary Gala in May 2011 was the first collective manifestation of these good intentions. Some 230 people gathered for the event sat in their year group tables – in the now familiar hall at ASL – and we had a very pleasant evening with stirring speeches by Mr Thomas and Patrick
Derham, the current Westminster Head and AH Governor who was then still at Rugby School, followed by a rather competitive auction. The step-up in focus and organisation following Stephanie Miller’s arrival could not have been more easily seen. After this point, the Bursary Scheme was launched to the parent body as a whole and we now enjoy the opportunity to come together either for a social evening or to support the boys as I’m sure we will this year at the Fun Run in March. These events and accompanying ongoing fundraising have quickly become an established and an important part of the DNA of the School and with 17 boys having now benefitted from the scheme the fruits of everyone’s efforts is plain to see. I have felt a great sense of pride at being able to be involved in the evolution of this process – though I would not like to
overstate my input as it has truly been a team effort between staff, governors and a large cohort of parents, all of whom have been both dedicated to and enthusiastic about the project. I was one of the Year 2 reps on the AHPA at the launch Gala, and following another year of repping, I was happy to have been invited to join the Board of Friends in my capacity as Chair of the Parents’ Association. I would encourage any parent who would like to get involved in any way to approach the School because there is usually a way to use people’s talents and efforts and I have never once regretted the time invested. I can also say from experience that the chance to get involved and feel like you are making a contribution is also easier at Arnold House than it often is at senior schools – though for many of the senior schools the bursary programme is very much the norm. An added bonus is the pals I met
along the way who will undoubtedly be with me for life. Having been in many meetings with the Board of Friends, which has since been superseded by the Fundraising Committee, it has become clear that putting the structures in place to ensure AH has had applicants for its places has taken a considerable amount of time and effort – no easy task when you consider that this may mean boys are potentially giving up a place in a tried and tested 11+ state system. Ultimately, however, the boys who have joined have undoubtedly enriched the life of the School in many ways. Not only have they excelled in the classroom, winning academic scholarships, and on the
Bursary Challenge Week 2017
important reminder for the School, and the pupils, to be looking outside the school gates and to have an awareness of the wider community of which it is part. An Arnold House education is a privilege and brings many opportunities to those boys who are fortunate enough to enjoy it. The programme allows more boys the chance to have that experience and to have the benefits that it brings. In the interests of full disclosure, I should also point out that one of the new entrants to my older son’s year became firm friends with him – I think from the first day – and we have enjoyed many hours in his company and with his parents and siblings.
Bursary Gala 2011
sports fields, but they have embraced the all-round nature of the experience – not just lessons and sports. The Year 8 responsibilities this group have been awarded includes House Captain, Leader of the Orchestra and Head Boy and I am sure all would agree they have made genuine contributions that have benefitted the whole year group and have always been ready to participate in some of the wonderful initiatives run by the teachers that involve extra commitment such as Shakespeare’s School, Debating competitions and Verse Speaking. The bursary scheme also serves as an
Not only has the appearance of assisted places benefitted the pupils, I would argue that the fundraising element has also brought the school community of boys, staff and parents together more frequently than would otherwise have been the case. It is these memories that will stay with me after the last church service next July. Seeing Rachel Ferhaoui, Sophia Panaretou and Andy Wilkins as dancers from the Moulin Rouge at the Cabaret evening was not a sight that can easily be forgotten. The successful and entertaining quiz nights and horse racing evenings were great fun and seeing the
way my boys embraced the bursary challenge week left a great sense of warmth. It is now an essential part of the Arnold House experience to go to these events but when we go back to our busy lives we should remind ourselves that not only are we giving an opportunity to children who would otherwise be unable to take advantage of what AH has to offer, their enthusiasm to live the experience to the full in turn provides tangible benefits to their year groups, houses and school and our enthusiasm to support the scheme brings the community closer together. Janet Lear AH Parent Fundraising Committee Member
Bursary Cabaret 2014
ANNUAL FUND for the Micro:bits that the boys use in computer programming, a number of items to enhance our activity club offering and a bed for Arnold the dog.
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As always, the support of Arnold House community of our Annual Fund campaigns is greatly appreciated.
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This year’s Annual Fund has already raised some interest amongst current parents and includes items that will make an immediate impact on the quality of our facilities and the education we can offer the boys for a variety of departments. Items include new headphones and glockenspiels for music, a variety of accessories
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The success of the Annual Fund Elements Campaign 2017 allowed the School to fully refurbish and modernise the Science Laboratory over the summer. A glass presentation of the Arnold House Periodic Table has also been installed with all the donors’ names.
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CHARITY During the past year, boys, staff and parents have continued to support a number of worthy charitable causes through various activities and events, raising a total of £7,547. As well as the three themed charity days that the School holds each year, money was also raised from the Years 6&7 Young Entrepreneurs event, church collections and events run by the AHPA.
a Nautical themed charity day. SwimSafe’s aim is to prevent the high level of child drowning in Asia through teaching survival swimming skills. A big thank you to all the boys, parents and staff for supporting the School’s charitable causes.
For over twenty years, the School has supported the St John’s Hospice and this year we raised £1,800 towards much needed medical equipment. It is always a surprise to hear that the Hospice relies almost entirely on the support of local people, companies and trusts to raise the £1.8 million needed in voluntary income each year. The international charity chosen by the boys was Facing the World and £5,280 was raised for them and has gone towards helping children with severe craniofacial defects. A further £466 was raised for national charities including the Poppy Appeal and the Royal Life Boats. This academic year, the boys have chosen to support international charity SwimSafe and £2,563 was raised during the autumn term following
HOW TO DONATE Donations to the Bursary and Annual Funds can be made by cheque or bank transfer directly to their dedicated bank accounts as follows: Arnold House School Bursary Fund Royal Bank of Scotland Sort Code 16-00-83 Account Number 00126570
Arnold House School Annual Fund Royal Bank of Scotland Sort code: 16-00-83 Account Number: 00134514
Charity vouchers are also accepted. Match Funding If you work for an organisation that has a match funding policy, any money you donate could be matched by your employer. These schemes are not exclusive to the major corporate giants, if you work for an independent company, they may be interested in charitable giving through match funding too. If you have any queries about making a donation please contact Stephanie Miller, Head of External Relations at smiller@arnoldhouse.co.uk or on 020 7266 6989. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Arnold House School 1 Loudoun Road St. John’s Wood, London NW8 0LH Telephone: 020 7266 4840 Email: office@arnoldhouse.co.uk Website: www.arnoldhouse.co.uk Arnold House School Ltd (Limited by Guarantee). Registered in London Number 889424. Educational Charitable Trust Number 312725