CHARITY WEEK: Putting the fun into fundraising

AMELIA COLLINGWOOD-COOPER reports on 2025's jam-packed Charity Week, which has raised thousands of pounds for the Parkinson's UK charity. We hope you enjoy our photo gallery, below

CHARITY Week 2025 has been a huge success, with the current total raised at around £8,000, we could not be happier with how the week went. 

Parkinson’s UK has been an incredible charity to support; Parkinson's disease has affected so many people within the school community and around the local area and, as a result, this year’s fundraising has been particularly poignant. 

In the weeks leading up to the fundraising there was the opportunity to educate all year groups on Parkinson's itself as well as the work the charity does, this raised awareness among students but also meant that going into Charity Week everyone knew exactly what they were donating to and the work that we were going to be aiding.

The week started on a high with the boarders' video at break introducing a treasure hunt around school, with rubber ducks appearing throughout the week for students to collect. The annual form stalls were equally a hit, with games ranging from the classic ‘Guess the amount of sweets in the jar’ to Whack-a-Mole and even bowling out Mr Webb!

As student excitement built, Tuesday started energetically with a DJ set over break alongside the daily bake sale that maintained popularity throughout the week. Moving to lunch there was the classic inflatable where the fun continued as students got their nominations fulfilled and all year groups participated in the much anticipated gladiator matches.

Wednesday and Thursday saw full participation from the student body with game-show style ‘Would I Lie to You?’ and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, won by Mr Jones, with his energetic dancing debut! 

Both days the fun continued afterschool with a Tough Mudder, where racers crossed the finish line covered in both mud and paint alongside lots of laughter, as well as the Year 7&8  disco - run by sixth formers armed with face paint.

The end of a memorable week started with the much anticipated Officer Dance, full of pom-poms, tutus, umbrellas and of course the recreation of the famous Dirty Dancing lift - carried out seamlessly! 

The excitement built as lunchtime arrived and the curtain lifted to the Staff Panto, revealed to be Harry Potter. With Hedwig narrating and the iconic characters of Hagrid, Ron Weasley and, of course, Harry Potter, the staff gave it their all. Students joined in with the classic booing and cheering, as well as great laughter as the Dementors took to the crowd during a frantic chase.

Alongside the main events this year had the new addition of parallel activities, away from the noise, which were a huge success. Activities varied from arts and crafts to quizzes and even marshmallow towers, which gave students who wanted to join in the fundraising and fun in an environment they felt more comfortable in the opportunity to do so.

Overall, the efforts of all the staff and students were hugely rewarded with an incredibly successful year - both in student involvement and fundraising for Parkinson’s UK.