News from schools and colleges across Hampshire
Sixth formers in Swaziland
After spending months working hard to raise £32,000, Bedales sixth form students travelled to Swaziland recently to help various projects in schools and orphanages.
The 20 students and four teachers began the week’s visit at Mbalenhle School, which has come a long way since Bedales first helped to install running water in 2007. This year the students helped with the development of four new staff quarters and a new home economics classroom.
The students then went on to help install water at two schools in the rural central north of the country; Mnjoli High School and Mnjoli Primary School. The money they had raised was spent on drilling and commissioning a 150m bore hole, buying pipes, a 10,000 litre tank, paint and many other equipment and resources needed for the project work.
Commenting on the visit, Bedales sixth form student Juliette Perry said: “We successfully provided clean safe water to this community – where they had previously been drinking from a stagnant lake. We also painted the entire primary school and helped them to design a logo for the secondary school, which we transferred on to signs and a prominent wall. One afternoon we all taught a lesson to classes in both the primary and secondary school. The experience was amazing and what we did couldn’t have been achieved without the hard work of all those who went and the commitment of the teachers.”
Alton Convent’s appeal
Alton Convent School’s 75th Anniversary Appeal has been gathering speed this month after two families each took on their own challenges to raise funds for school refurbishments, a science laboratory and lighting for the new tennis academy.
Nicola Bell, a former pupil of Alton Convent School took part in the Great South Run and her daughter Rose completed a 12 hour sponsored silence. The Hart family also took part in the Great South Run, with parents Roger and Shirley tackling the 10 miler, and daughters Eleanor and Jessica the 2.5K and 5K respectively.
The three challenges have since raised over £2,600 for the school. To sponsor a challenge, or for more information on the Anniversary Appeal activities visit www.altonconvent.org.uk/anniversary-appeal.
U15 champions
The St Swithun’s girls U15 county lacrosse team have been celebrating this month after being crowned South West regional champions at Westonbirt School in Gloucestershire. After defeating Monmouthshire and a joint Gloucestershire & Worcestershire team, their final game saw a 7-2 victory against a strong Wiltshire & Dorset team resulting in their tournament win. Well done girls!
Star speakers
Three Year 9 students from Salesian College are also celebrating after becoming joint winners with the Royal School in the Farnham District Rotary Youth Speaks competition.
James Consell, Henry Bolden, and Juho Colclough‘s speech on ‘How the Wealthy Spend their Money’ was outstanding and captivated the audience. Mr Patrick Wilson, Headmaster commented: “The boys performed brilliantly and I commend them for their achievement at this prestigious public speaking event held at the Bush Mercure Hotel in Farnham.”
