Community Fundraising
The College carries out a variety of community fundraising activities, ranging from one off events to long-term initiatives.
There are three Houses at Abbey Gate College Senior School and Sixth Form; Hastings, Marmion and Ripley, each named after 13th Century Abbots that are part of the College site dating back to its monastic heritage.
The nature of the Houses is to encourage healthy competition between students and staff as well as enhancing the sense of community, through quizzes, drama, music and sporting competitions. We also hold House Charity days, always a fabulously fun day and something we all look forward to.
In addition, every House point awarded throughout the year to each student equates to 10p, donated by the College to add to the balance each House raises through traditional fundraising activities. The charitable fund-raising through our Houses is supplemented by additional fund-raising for national charities and our overseas Service Project. Together, this totals well over £10k per year.
The College musicians perform at a range of events throughout the year. These events not only provide opportunities for the choir/musicians to perform in public but also to raise funds for the charities represented at the events. Events include:
Evensong at St. Oswald’s Church Malpas; Chester Music Society; Spirit of Christmas Concert at Chester Cathedral in aid of Neuromuscular Centre; Christmas Concert at Aldford Parish Church in aid of Church funds; Carol Service at Chester Cathedral; Passiontide Service at Chester Cathedral; Evensong at St.Paul’s Cathedral London; Gala Concert hosted at AGC; Christmas Carols with Chester Business Network.
Aims
To raise money for local and national charities, and make a difference within the community.
To provide opportunities for all pupils to empathise with local charity organisations and their work and to undertake altruistic activities to raise funds for them and the individuals they help.
Background
The College has always supported charitable work. These include the annual charity and CATH as well as national charities such as Macmillan Cancer Care, Children in Need and Sports Relief. Raising awareness amongst the pupils as well as raising money have been the key goals. The ideas form part of the PSHEE curriculum with the College.
Each house selects their own charity to support, sometimes due to a personal connection or support offered by that charity to a member of the Abbey Gate Community at some point.
Charity and public music projects are initiated by the Head of Music at Abbey Gate College. The College choirs/ensembles/musicians have a long history of performing in public and helping to raise considerable funds for a range of local charities by attending and performing at these events.
Resources
Events are held within the College and use the facilities, and time and expertise, of the pupils and staff.
Every House point awarded throughout the year to each student equates to 10p, donated by the College to add to the balance each House raises through traditional fundraising activities.
Charity and public music events rely heavily on the expertise of the College music staff and the willingness and expertise of the pupils who take part. Time to rehearse is the major factor and the College makes extensive use of its music facilities to achieve the high performance levels of its musicians. The College mini bus is used to transport pupils where necessary and the College Choirs attend these events free of charge.
Impact
The incredible fundraising efforts of our Community means that a staggering £8038.99 was raised in the last academic year!
The charitable fund-raising for local charities through our Houses is supplemented by additional fund-raising for national charities and our overseas Service Project. Together, this totals well over £10k per year.
Pupils who take part in the charity and public music concerts enjoy performing in public and enjoy the sense of having helped to raise significant funds for the particular charity that is being helped at the individual events. Due to the high quality of their performances the College musicians are invited back/rebooked for subsequent charity/public events.
Developing an awareness amongst our pupils about those who have significant obstacles to overcome is a major part of the College in developing well-rounded, kind and caring young people.
Pupil Involvement
Whole school initiative from Year 7 to Year 13.
Frequency
Fund raising takes place annually and the cheque is presented to the chosen charities at the College’s Prize Giving event in September.
