Thornton College St Claudine's Day - Supporting our local community
Thornton College, St Claudine’s Day
Supporting Local Schools, Charities and Individuals
Thornton students spent a full day supporting local organisations, raising money and helping hundreds of people in their local community. Throughout the year Thornton students raise money for a chosen local and international charity and in addition collect food and baby items for MKFoodbank and BabyBasics. But, in addition to these ongoing charitable efforts St Claudine’s Day is an annual day in early February where all students and staff make efforts to support local organisations and benefit local people.
Aims
The Aim of St Claudine's Day is to remember our Foundress St Claudine for taught us to never underestimate the value that each of us has in making a positive difference to the lives of others.
St Claudine's Day is an opportunity for every member of our school community to make a positive difference to the life of another.
Local charities and schools are identified by staff members or proposed by students and these organisations are contacted to identify ways we can help.
Critical factors of success are the engagement levels of all and the difference that is achieved i.e. 35 toiletry hampers donated to MK ACT. It is important that students understand the ethos of our school.
Immediate beneficiaries include:
- primary students at a local state primary school
- residents of Willen Hospice
- women living at MK ACT refuge
- Willen Hospice
- Local mature members of our community links with Thornborough community group our neighbouring village
- our local wildlife and environment
Background
This is an annual event with established links (although the charities may change each year) in the community.
Students and staff identify opportunities and come up with various ways of collecting donations or raising funds.
The day is overall managed by our Chaplaincy lead Mrs Shauna Murphy.
St Claudine's Day has been running for at least 20 years and is a global day of service for all of our schools in 29 countries around the world.
Resources
Parents, students and staff donate resources needed for the various activities.
Our catering team donate and prepare the food required for Afternoon Tea.
School facilities are required for space to make the various items for donation as well as collating items.
The event uses both teaching and non-teaching staff, for example our operations director drives the mini bus to deliver student donations to various local charities. Teaching staff provide a whole day or activities and involvement and non teaching staff commit to various activities throughout the day to ensure essential operational work is covered.
No financial contribution is expected however students and their families as well as staff donate goods / gifts in kind.
Impact
Every student and staff member in the whole school community took part in the day of service, helping others in our community.
Feedback has been received from partner organisations and directly from beneficiaries:
One resident posted “Sometimes there are advantages to being a senior citizen and today was one of those! What a lovely time having afternoon tea with such lovely staff and pupils, then to have a super concert as well was just the icing on the cake. The refreshments kept on coming and we were presented with plants, gifts and cards that the children had made as well. To top it all, we had our car washed for a nominal donation! Many thanks to everyone at Thornton College”.
Another wrote “Well, another lovely afternoon courtesy of everyone at Thornton College. A huge thank you to everyone for such a delightful afternoon, from small voices to bigger ones and solo singers that gave me goosebumps…stunning, thank you”.
Willen Hopsice Schools Fundraiser wrote, “I just wanted to send a quick email to say a huge thank you for all of the support you have shown our hospice over the last couple of weeks in terms of volunteering within the hospice itself, fundraising with your sponsored walk and your donation of books to our bookstore. Not to mention, the artwork created by your Year Two class. You have been so incredibly kind and we are very grateful”.
Pupil Involvement
Sixth Form students spent weeks collecting toiletries and made 35 hampers to benefit residents at MK ACT, a local charity helping individuals affected by domestic violence. In addition, they painted the pre prep playground pencils in beautifully bright colours and cleaned the play park at Thornborough, our neighbouring community.
Year 10 and 11 students collected over 1,800 books for Jubilee Wood Primary School in Fishermead, as well as the Willen Hospice book shop. They also completed a 7 km sponsored walk.
Year 9 students hosted visitors from our local community for an Afternoon Tea, nail varnishing, drama and music performances and most importantly the opportunity to sit and chat with students.
Year 8 students went to Willen Hospice and helped with labelling clothes and collecting teddies; they also raised funds by washing teachers and visitors’ cars!
Year 7 students helped the schools local wildlife by making bug homes and hanging bird feeders. They also wrote thank you cards to local services that have helped them or their family in recent years and these are currently being delivered. Year 7 also organised a small change drive raising over £100.
Years 5 and 6 helped the housekeeping team with cleaning the school and also completed litter picking in Thornton’s grounds. They also spent time with pre-prep children helping them to make bird feeders and hang them in the trees.
Years 3 and 4 planted violet bulbs in little plant pots which they had decorated and then made cards and paper flowers to present to visitors attending afternoon tea.
Years 1 & 2 children made pieces of artwork for residents in Willen Hospice which our Year 8 students took with them to volunteer.
The atmosphere was vibrant across the school as all students of all ages engaged in activities to help others; helping to support our local community.
Frequency
This activity is an annual event in early February for one day of service in memory of the Foundress of the Religious Order, Jesus and Mary who started Thornton College in 1917.
