To celebrate our 150th anniversary, we committed to a whole school volunteering day with every student participating. Students supported 30 local community activities throughout the day, including visiting care homes, primary schools and parks. We welcomed over 200 visitors into school, to enjoy science lessons, sports activities and concert performances.

Students travelled to three local care homes to sing, entertain and chat with elderly residents and our  Year 7 students created 100 pieces of artwork to display on the walls. We shared our love of languages with three local primary schools, leading Spanish and French activities, performing plays, and supporting reading with younger years.

Hundreds of our environmentally conscious Senior and Junior School pupils headed off to 12 parks to pick up litter, weeding and planting to support the efforts of local organisations.

Mr Shoults said, “Yesterday we were delighted to celebrate 150 years as a school by the whole school volunteering in the community.  It was inspiring to see our students and staff getting involved so enthusiastically to support local primary schools, care homes, charities, parks and nature reserves in so many different ways.  Volunteering is such a powerful way to help others, and also to build well-being.  We hope that this day will deepen further our connections in the Ealing Borough, and help us to make even more of a difference in our local community.”

Pupils from St Gregory’s and North Ealing primary schools, joined our Sixth Form students in the science labs to create slides of onion cells and used microscopes, then headed outside to play cricket, followed by swimming and a chance to practise their dance moves.

Our Reception and Year 1 girls sang a range of songs for guests from St Stephen’s Church and Chestnut Lodge Care Home, we held a craft fair for visitors from Ealing Mencap and 21 children from the Log Cabin, our local charity, enjoyed a party of singing, games, food and fun.

Students wrapped packs of essential items for DaysForGirls, our Junior school girls decorated paper bags filled with useful gifts for children supported by Care4Calais and we prepared babycare kits for families supported by the Salvation Army. Read more about our charities activities on the day here.

Chanelle McPherson-Bradshaw, Community Centre Manager, The Salvation Army said, “Thank you! This is the first time we have hosted students of this age and both groups did such an amazing job. The morning group managed to sort all of our donations for the week and the afternoon group got us all prepared by packing up starter kits ready to go out to families next week. It was lovely to share about what we do and also see the students smiling and enjoying whilst volunteering.”

Mrs Johnson, Teacher of PRE and Charities Co-ordinator who masterminded the initiative said, “It was delightful to see the entire student and staff community participating in volunteering in the local area. Everyone returned with happy tales of the tasks and events they had been involved in and the various people they had met. We hope to maintain our current and new contacts and continue to support the charities and organisations who do so much for Ealing and beyond.”