All Heathfield students are encouraged to consider ways that they can contribute to both the local and international communities as well as the school community. All students are actively involved in a wide variety of volunteering activities, partnerships and fundraising events both large and small.
We have a whole school charity, a project in Kenya, the Matumaini School, which supports disadvantaged and disabled children near Molo. We sponsor a student at that school, and regularly organise fundraising events to pay for their schooling and to support the work of their school. Money raised has covered the student’s school fees, transport, school uniform and equipment. We have also raised money for the Matumaini initiative the Threads of Tumaini which trains women in the community to become seamstresses. Matumaini was grateful too for a contribution to the costs of building a fence around their site, securing the premises.
In addition each of the four school houses have their own charity, chosen by the students. These are often a local project which enables students to find out more about those who are making a difference to the lives of those living in this area. These charities are the focus of fundraising at the annual St Nicholas Stalls which takes place at the end of November, and we welcome representatives from these charities into school to hear about the impact of their work.
Following our Harvest Festival Chapel service students take the donations to the local food bank in Bracknell. Charity prefects oversee the Charity work of the school, with the support of the Chaplain, and organise fundraising events (such as cake sales), take assemblies and ensure that charity work continues to be an important part of everyone’s experience at Heathfield.