Students Engage in Community Volunteering and Fundraising
In an exceptional display of community spirit, more than 90 students from St. George’s School Windsor Castle dedicated their time to volunteering activities over the last two weeks of May. The students, participating as part of the school’s St. George’s Award program, engaged in various initiatives that made a positive impact on the community while also raising over £1,400 for charitable causes.
During the two ‘Active Service Days,’ held on Thursday, May 18 and Thursday, May 25, the students actively participated in different projects. On the first day, Year 5 students split into two groups. One group joined Windsor Foodshare at Dedworth Green Baptist Church, sorting and packing food for those in need. The other group brought joy to the residents of Viscount Court retirement housing, performing music, serving refreshments, and hosting a lively game of bingo.
Simultaneously, Year 7 students embarked on their volunteering missions. Some assisted at Hilltop First School, taking on roles as Junior Teaching Assistants and Librarians. Others supported the King George VI Day Centre, where they spent time conversing with attendees, joining in card games and arts and crafts, and serving lunch at the social club.
On the second Active Service Day, Year 6 students visited the Thames Hospice facility in Maidenhead. Engaging with patients and their families, they participated in arts and crafts activities and collaborated with hospice staff to generate ideas for future fundraising endeavours. The day culminated in a concert held in the hospice’s café, providing uplifting moments overlooking Bray Lake.
To fund their volunteering efforts, the students organized various activities, including a bake sale in support of Thames Hospice and a unique ‘Wacky Run’ event. The latter involved Year 5 students exploring creative modes of transportation around the school’s playing fields in Home Park Private, ranging from cartwheeling to skateboarding. The enthusiastic participants covered an impressive distance of over 200,000 meters within an hour. These fundraising initiatives collectively raised £1,427, benefiting Thames Hospice, Windsor Foodshare, and Viscount Court.
William Goldsmith, Head at St. George’s School Windsor Castle, emphasized the importance of cultivating leadership and ethical decision-making skills among students. He expressed pride in witnessing the students’ engagement and focus throughout the two-day event, highlighting their dedication to understanding societal issues and making a positive difference.
The organizations hosting the students also praised their efforts. Sarah Kember, Windsor Foodshare Manager, commended the students’ empathy, willingness to assist, and genuine interest in the organization’s mission. Lynn Bima, Headteacher at Hilltop First School, lauded the Year 7 pupils’ enthusiasm and dedication as junior teaching assistants, while Layla Pipe, Senior Community Fundraiser at Thames Hospice, described the students’ concert as fabulous and credited them for being outstanding representatives of the school.
The students’ impactful volunteering and fundraising endeavors left a lasting impression on the organizations they supported, as evidenced by the card received from the King George VI Day Centre, expressing gratitude for an enjoyable morning and highlighting the significance of the students’ ability to create positive experiences for others.
The St. George’s School Windsor Castle community looks forward to future opportunities to contribute to the well-being of the community and foster meaningful connections with local organisations.
