Invicta Vlogs
As we embark upon RAG week, it is pertinent to reflect on the purpose of RAG; an acronym for Raise and Give – something that all students at Invicta think of very affectionately.
It is a 6th Form charitable fundraising event, run along similar lines to RAG societies in most universities. We see this as an excellent way of encouraging our students to ‘step into the world’ of university life. The teamwork, leadership and fun gained from the organisation of RAG events provides our students with a great way to experience these skills.
However, most importantly, as many of us know, there is nothing quite like the gift of giving. When you see first-hand the impact it can have, it becomes the best feeling in the world. We know this all too well at Invicta, where our model has always been centred on providing opportunities that make a positive difference to people’s lives – our students, parents and the local and international community.
This week, to mark RAG, we have several events that will enable our students to embrace the spirit of generosity, by providing humour, creativity and fun at the same time. We subscribe to age-old adage, ‘It is better to give than it is to receive’. We all stand to gain so much more from giving than we do from receiving. Giving more does not always have to mean materialistic presents or donating money. Our students are encouraged to give more of their time and energy to help others and worthy causes. They do this through their volunteer work both across the school and in the local community. Just last week, our choir sang at Maidstone Museum and this week, we have students visiting a care home; really strong examples of the ‘giving of time’.
I do not think that any teacher enters the teaching profession for money; they want to create opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives. I see this every day at Invicta. Our staff ‘give’ of their time and as such, they are excellent role models for our students. In my opinion, there is nothing quite like the gift of giving. When you see first-hand the impact it can have, it becomes the best feeling in the world. We are certainly encouraging it this week, as we embark upon our RAG events, but what I do see is that at Invicta, the ‘art of giving’ is every day. Our students and staff are very special! We shall certainly enjoy our RAG events this week, and I have no doubt that we will raise a lot of money. Indeed, our 6th Formers have set themselves an ambitious target, but what they will do along the way, is have fun, as we start our Christmas celebrations.
With the biggest day for giving, Christmas, just around the corner, I would like to share with my top quote on giving:
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston S. Churchill
This not only sums up our charitable interests but importantly, it captures a great deal about ‘life at Invicta’ and teaching!
