Charity Involvement

Community involvement and charitable giving are an important part of the Godstowe school ethos.  In keeping with our Christian tradition, Godstowe aims to impart the shared values of respect for others and our environment, personal responsibility, tolerance and understanding of right and wrong, so that our pupils may become valued members of the community in which they live.

As part of their education and school life, Godstowe pupils become involved in charitable giving and contribute to their community in many different ways. We are proud of our achievements, which are outlined in more detail below.

Over the past three years alone, £41,508.18p has been raised to support more than 25 different charities. Not surprisingly, most of the charities that our children have supported aim themselves to support children – the NSPCC, Save the Children, Children in Need, Great Ormond Street, Barnardos, the Children’s Meningitis Trust, Malcolm Sergeant Cancer Fund for Children to name but a few. But we have also supported the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lepra and Wycombe Women’s Aid.

Fundraising has taken place as part of Mufti Days, sponsored ‘spellathons’, cake sales, art competitions, donation of fresh produce as well as blankets, toys and other necessities to help alleviate disaster areas. We have given charitably during Harvest Festivals, we have donated ‘Love in a Shoebox’ (or a few hundred of them) in the lead up to Christmas and have joined in national appeals by wearing poppies and supporting the Marie Curie Cancer Daffodil Campaign.

Music

Every year on several occasions, Godstowe pupils perform at the South Bucks Hospice Memorial Services and their Christmas Carol Service. “Thank you once again for all your help and support both in the preparation of the Memorial Service and the service itself. There was nothing but praise for your contribution to the Service and the girls played their instruments beautifully”.

On Saturday, 16 May 2009, Godstowe girls, along with pupils from several other local primary schools, performed ‘Noah’, a show with a biblical theme, at All Saints Church in High Wycombe.  At this event, over £1,000 was raised for the Wycombe Winter Night Shelter.

For several years in the past, Godstowe hosted the Chamber Music Competition in the Music School.

Mr Alexander Ardakov, the Russian Virtuoso Pianist, has given several recitals to Godstowe families and guests in the Recital Hall.

We have hosted a Windband Music Workshop and Wind Quintet Concert organised by Alison Chetwood, student at Trinity College of Music (2007). This event was attended by some of our Boarders and talented wind instrumentalists.

Several of the Peripatetic Music Teachers have used the facilities of the Music School for ABRSM examinations for their own (non-Godstowe) pupils.

Sport

For many years in the past, the Godstowe Swimming Pool offered memberships to local residents, who used it for recreation and fitness. However, due to Health & Safety issues and following the refurbishment of the pool, this scheme has been discontinued for the time being.

The pool has been used by several local primary schools for their swimming lessons. We have also offered use of the pool on occasions to the Royal Grammar School, when their pool was temporarily out of action and we have hosted a local swimming club for lessons given to children.

A local Nursery have used our lawns and marquee for their sports days.

The East of Amersham Hill Residents’ Association uses the JK Hall for their annual Barn Dance in March of each year. This brings together members of the community living very close to Godstowe School, for a fun social event and networking.

The High Wycombe Croquet Club has used the J.K. Hall for indoor croquet events, both in 2008 and 2009.

Events and Meetings

Every year, during the last weekend of November, Godstowe opens the JK Hall and other rooms in school to the Christmas Fair. This event is organised jointly by FOG and the PE Department and raises funds for the school, as well as for the Lacrosse USA tour. But it also enables Godstowe families to mingle with friends and access stalls set up by many local artists and artisans. The Christmas Fair is always attended by former Godstowe girls who return to school to meet friends and stay in touch with their Prep School.

On a more serious note, the local Neighbourhood Watch Meeting takes place several times per annum in our Recital Hall. This event is organised by the local Neighbourhood Watch committee and enables residents to listen to presentations by the Police and other bodies on how to work against crime and protect the local community.

Godstowe has hosted the Senior Schools Exhibition twice in recent years. The School invites Godstowe parents and their friends to come and gain useful information about various senior schools that attract Godstowe girls and pupils from other schools.

Post Common Entrance Activity Programme

Charitable activity and community involvement always features highly on the Post CE Programme.

Here is just a snapshot of what our IVs girls have accomplished in recent years:
The day after exams (and the party!) the IVs usually stretch their legs and exercise on a sponsored walk, raising money for charity.

The girls applied their artistic talent to the painting of murals outside several local Nurseries, turning dull playground walls into picturesque landscapes with a colourful mural, then adding some eye-catching 3D ‘mini beasts’. As part of the project, the girls practised their baby-sitting skills!

As part of this year’s programme, the girls entertained residents of a local Residential Home for the Elderly to morning coffee and pastries in our Library. The residents then enjoyed a fantastic programme of music performed live by members of the Senior Orchestra. On 18 June, the IV’s will be busy baking in the morning and will then take their cakes, biscuits and scones  to Parsonage Close Sheltered House to enjoy afternoon tea with the residents and again, perform an informal concert.

We are happy to acknowledge that many of these projects and initiatives have provided valuable opportunities for our pupils and our staff to develop their skills and further themselves in ways which have benefited everybody – the community ‘out there’ and our community in school.