Invicta Vlogs
Fundraising at Invicta Grammar School
At this time of year, as Sport Relief is all over the news, my thoughts have turned to what we as a school have achieved over the years in our fundraising. A former link in the fundraising department at Great Ormond Street Hospital said to me many years ago that it is always important to highlight the word FUN within the word FUNDRAISING! As you will know at Invicta, we pride ourselves on our academic success but also on creating a school community with the joint aim of supporting others through our charity work, but with the ultimate aim of having some fun whilst raising money for good causes both locally, nationally and internationally – and my goodness we have done well!
From day one, of joining our school, students are actively encouraged to get involved in fundraising activities. Our focus is always on altruism and doing good things for others but I have seen how we as a school and our students have reaped the rewards from their experiences too, which in turn, has served to help them develop skills which can benefit their learning. From the student who has performed on stage for the first time in one of our many RAG shows, to the student who has come into school dressed as a giraffe and wearing wellies - everyone benefits from participating. Seeing students coming out of their comfort zone and making fools of themselves for a good cause sends a powerful message to those with less confidence and has helped them to worry less about how others perceive them. Fundraising can be a liberating experience!
As each year goes by, I have more and more students coming to my door eager to develop fundraising initiatives. Seeing these students make a success of a charitable project never fails to impress me. They show determination, learn the art of negotiation, financial planning, marketing and project management by seeing initiatives through to the end. Alongside making a difference to others, the whole experience provides our students with a wealth of skills they will use throughout their lives.
I cannot ignore the role that our staff play as well, in their participation and commitment to supporting the school in fundraising initiatives. Over the years, we have seen staff learn to dance, run half marathons, sing and have cold water thrown over them all in the name of charity! Plus, the parents who have helped us so much in our fundraising endeavours by helping their daughter/son with their fancy dress outfits or picking them up from show rehearsals or stood by the roadside and waved as staff have run past them at a half marathon. We are always grateful for the positive participation from all our stakeholders.
Being involved in fundraising has so many benefits. Students have learnt more about the world, about health and mental health issues, about equal opportunities, caring for others and social matters and have benefitted immensely from hearing our visiting speakers, present so passionately on these subjects.
Our final assembly at the end of each year, when we celebrate our fundraising achievements, never fails to bring a tear to my eye! Cracking the £50,000 barrier in one year of fundraising in 2017 is an assembly I will never forget. Since 2010, together we as a school community, have raised £259,859.05 for a whole range of good causes – AMAZING! We should all be proud of these achievements and long may we continue to celebrate the FUN that can be had FUNDRAISING!
My personal aim, since taking a lead on fundraising across the school, has always been to focus on the fun we can have together when fundraising for good causes locally, nationally and internationally.
Mrs Rivers
Senior Assistant Head
