This year we have seen the return of campus events and fundraising, something we have greatly missed around the College. From ping pong in the piazza to staff karaoke… the creativity we have seen from our staff and students when it comes to events has been amazing.
Our annual Wellbeing Week brought the sunshine to campus which was enjoyed by both students and staff. We had a ping pong table in the piazza all week long which was a massive success… so much so that the College is thinking about bringing it back for the Summer! The catering team put on a massive healthy spread for lunch which was FREE for the students, imagine bowls of exotic fruit, noodles, salads, every soft drink imaginable – you can see why we sold out within 30 minutes! Throughout the week we organised a variety of workshops for the students – ‘learn to draw’, mindfulness, yoga – and invited local businesses into the College to promote sustainable living, healthy relationships and support if needed.
The Music Department organised their annual Stage and Screen Benefit Concert featuring students performing songs from your favourite musicals. Held at the St Johns Church in Farncombe, this event was a massive success and managed to raise over £2,000 from ticket sales and donations. Every year we raise money for , whose objective is to help young people living in disadvantaged circumstances. This charity is very close to our hearts, Dan Eley was once a student at 51¸£ÀûÉç and after a life-changing accident in Columbia, which left him paralysed from the neck down, he started this charity. This year the money raised will fund a music project for Year 3 pupils at St Mark’s & All Saints’ Primary School in Aaron’s Hill. A big thank you to everyone who came along and helped with donations, this wouldn’t be possible without you!
The Student Union organised multiple fundraising events for the and . The biggest success was the Staff Karaoke for Comic Relief, which saw several teachers sing their hearts out in the piazza to hundreds of excited students! This event managed to rake in a massive £180 in just half an hour, not to mention the realisation of a superstar in our midst. We also had face painting, bake sales, raffles and book swaps all organised by the Student Union – they have been very busy!
Business Studies students have been trying their hand at a bit of fundraising as well, as part of their course they have had to organise an event to raise money for a charity of their choice. We have seen some excellent trivia quizzes, a sponsored walk, 5-a-side football match and the staff’s favourite… a car wash for the .
We are overjoyed to welcome back campus events and fundraising after 2 years off! The organisers have outdone themselves so far and we cannot wait for what is in store in the Summer Term! Bring on the sunshine!