Firstly, a big thank you to all students, staff and their families for supporting all our charities and volunteering activities this term – we couldn’t do it without you!

Year 11 Charity – Action Breaks Silence

This half term has seen Year 11 hold a number of fundraising events for their chosen charity, Action Breaks Silence. Action Breaks Silence is an educational charity established to create a world free from violence against women and girls. First up, was a very popular Gilmore Girls event where students got to watch the popular programme while the Year 11s sold cinnamon rolls, decaf coffee, hot chocolate and more baked goods to fit the autumn/Gilmore Girls theme! It was a big success and a really fun event to support charity!

Next was a fun student-teachers staff vs students crashmat dodgeball competition which was very enjoyable with the students taking the win! Finally the Year 11 bake sale team held two sell out sales of autumn-themed treats, including baked goods such as pumpkin spice cookies, cinnamon rolls and gingerbread mini egg cookies. 

Amnesty Group Fundraises for Unicef Libya Appeal

During the final week of the half term, our Amnesty group was fundraising for those affected by the Libyan floods, which affected 300,000 children, with many stranded in their homes with no electricity and access to water.  Unicef are especially concerned about children’s access to clean water and the prevention of deadly diseases like cholera. It is critical to establish shelters to protect children and families, so our group chose to fundraise for Unicef. On Tuesday our Amnesty group hosted a fantastic teacher fashion show with a loud and supportive audience. Students chose costumes for the models which ranged from Halloween dress up to Barbie. There was a great atmosphere and a really fun afternoon. On Thursday students from Year 7 up to Year 13 all paid to dress up with all money going towards the essential work of Unicef in Libya. 

Harvest Festival Appeal

Our students did us proud again with another amazing job of the harvest hampers, creating a wonderful display of donated goods in the atrium to a beautiful autumn theme. It was extremely difficult to decide on a winner but 8E’s hamper contained the most amount of food and 11S’ hamper won the prize for the best decorated. Ealing Foodbank were delighted by the generosity and this year Sanitation 4 sisters were also thrilled to receive a large box of sanitary products which has been sent to the women living at The Marylebone Project. Read more on the Sanitation 4 Sisters charity founded by NHEHS’ Venus.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

On Friday the 29th of September, we held our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning. Students were very generous with their contributions, evident through the vast display of delicious cakes and hot drinks. So generous, that the bake sale had to be held over two days! The event was a huge success, not only raising awareness about the cancer workforce, but also raising £910. All donations have gone to Macmillan Cancer Support, to help as much as we can in providing physical, financial, and emotional support to those suffering from cancer. 

Books to Africa

Last June, Year 10 enrichment students collected textbooks no longer required by the different subjects studied here at school. They sorted, selected and packaged up books in a good condition from both the Junior and Senior schools, which were then sent ‘Books to Africa’ in Kent. We have just been informed that a number of our textbooks have been donated to a school in Mzuzu Northern Region, Malawi. They have been gratefully received and have already been used in lessons by staff and students. We look forward to hearing again from the charity when another school receives some of our textbooks.

Visit to the Log Cabin 

Once again, as a school, we supported the work of the Log Cabin through the Ealing Half Marathon. On Friday 22nd September the whole school dressed up in sportswear to support the NHEHS Ealing Half Marathon team, and on Sunday 24th September many students lined the streets of Ealing to cheer the team along. This year our school team consisted of 15 parents, staff and students. Following the event where we raised nearly £2000, the Log Cabin invited Mrs Johnson for a visit to have a look at where all our fundraising from the event will be used and how we can continue to work with the Log Cabin community. The most important area our fundraising will support is the outdoor area – a large space which the children enjoy but it is in urgent need of upgrading. Plans are currently being drawn up for this space and some of our students will be able to visit to view the new play area once completed.The Log Cabin have passed on their thanks to all of you for your fundraising and support:

“We are extremely grateful for the continued support of NHEHS pupils, parents and staff over the years – not only in terms of the valuable and much needed fundraising, but also for all the events the school hosts for our children. This partnership fosters stronger and more resilient inclusive communities.” 

Care 4 Calais Visit

On Wednesday 4th October a group of volunteers travelled to Hayes to visit the children at the Care for Calais hotel where they played games, colouring and crafts with the children.  Year 13 Charity Rep Harinee said, “it was really lovely to meet so many children and also see some familiar faces. They seemed to really enjoy talking to us and they showed us their awesome dance moves – particularly enjoying Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’. All of us are really keen to visit them again soon and encourage anyone in Year 10 or above to sign up. I promise, volunteering for just an hour of your day will be as fun for you as it is for them!”

Working in partnership with the Care for Calais hotel, this year we are hoping to provide Christmas presents for the children to help celebrate the festivities. We would love for everyone to get involved and so will be launching it as a form time initiative after half term, with groups of two or three creating a bag together, including items such as small toys, colouring books, pens, pencils, paper, jewellery, hair accessories, small games, stickers, puzzles, activity books, stickers. We would also love for a card to be included in the bags if possible, with a special christmas message.

Caring Care Homes

Year 10 and 11 enrichment students have been visiting three of our local care homes, St David’s, Chestnut Lodge and Downhurst this term. The choir has continued to sing to and with the residents in their activities’ room. The craft group brings fun crafts and games to the residents. Colouring and word searches are also popular. The activities provide a great opportunity for students and residents to sit and chat together whilst carrying out these activities. We look forward to introducing Christmas craft and carol singing in the next half term.

Look out next term for these events after half term:

Collection of tents and sleeping bags for Care 4 Calais

Visit to Care 4 Calais hotel to do craft and games activities with the children

Year 10 charity events

Collection of items for Age UK Christmas hampers

Carol singing at Age UK

School Christmas Bazaar

Christmas Jumper Day