Community

Charities and service

We believe in the importance of preparing students to contribute positively to the communities around them and Paulinas take part enthusiastically in a range of charity and service endeavours.

Service

Service activities give students the opportunity to make connections beyond St Paul’s. Engagement with others broadens students’ perspectives, as they learn from those whose backgrounds and lived experiences differ from their own. Spending time working in the local community enables students to have a direct positive effect, emphasising the benefits of collaboration. The aim is to nurture students’ compassion and generosity of spirit, instilling an awareness of our duty to others that will remain with them as they progress into life beyond school.

Students in the V (Year 10) and above are encouraged to get involved with a variety of service initiatives, from visiting local care homes to helping with community gardening and planting projects. In addition, every member of the VII (Year 12) spends time in service to the local community as part of our unique St Paul’s Programme. Activities include running a literacy scheme and book clubs in local primary schools, helping to run clubs at a nearby school for children with special needs and disabilities, making improvements to the local area in collaboration with the Friends of Brook Green organisation, and working in support of Project Rousseau (a nonprofit operating in New York and other US cities that empowers youth in underserved communities to reach their full potential).

Charities

At St Paul’s, charitable giving and activity are vital aspects of school life. A focus on the importance of charity encourages students to consider the issues in the world around them and illustrates how they can use their actions and resources to make a tangible positive impact.

Every September, we hold a school-wide vote to select the two charities that will become our main school charities for the academic year. The Charities Committee, a team of usually around 10-15 passionate and dedicated students in the VII (Year 12), takes the lead in organising a vast range of exciting fundraising activities, raising awareness of the important work carried out by these organisations.

Students selling items at a stall in the Great Hall for the Charities Committee.

There are several annual charity events which prove perennially popular. These include the much-anticipated Teachers’ University Challenge and Amnesty concert, which encourage all members of the school community to get involved. Each year the new Charities Committee also launches a range of innovative events. These have included teachers vs students sports games, participation in the 2.6 challenge, cyclathons, a candy cane sale in collaboration with St Paul’s School, cooking competitions and more. Bake sales and dress-up days are regular highlights of the school calendar.

The Charities Committee also sets up initiatives and activities to support other causes throughout the year, responding to current issues and events. The annual Amnesty concert is always a spectacular start to the fundraising year, with students from all age groups performing musical items, dance and even stand-up comedy. The 2021/22 committee also raised over £7,000 for the UNICEF Ukraine appeal, as well as organising a collection of essentials to donate via the Ukrainian Social Club.

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Community activities

Community activities