COMMUNITY

The production of Rapunzel at the School’s EM Forster Theatre was an outstanding success, beating box office records and attracting five-star reviews from critics and audiences.

Donations were taken for two local charities throughout the year, both online and after panto performances. More than £9,200 was raised for the Tonbridge Lions Club and Rotary Club of Tonbridge. Both charities received their donations at a special presentation at the Theatre.

The front of the School was transformed into a seasonal fresh fruit and vegetable market just before Christmas, as part of our Shop to Share food donation scheme.

The all-day market, run by School volunteers, supported local disadvantaged families in preparation for the festive period. For a £1 donation, guests were able to fill their bags with enough fresh produce for their families to help them enjoy a Christmas feast. More than a hundred local families attended, with more than 400 adults and children coming on site.

l Over the past year tonnes of food from the School kitchens have been donated to the Sustain Food Bank in Tonbridge, and regular food collections continued throughout the pandemic.

The School’s Christmas Toy and Gift Appeal managed to support more children and families than ever before.

Donations of toys, books, games and a range of other gifts by Tonbridge parents, boys and staff went to disadvantaged children in the local community. More than 500 children, from 189 families, were referred to the scheme by Kent County Council’s Social Services and Early Help teams, as well as by charities, churches and primary schools.

In the Lent Term, 50 of the School’s Tonbridge Community Action boys completed British Heart Foundation training in CPR and use of a defibrillator. The boys also heard a first-hand account of when this skill really does save lives.

l Sixty Tonbridge Community Action boys are now ‘Dementia Friends’, thanks to a training session run by the Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells Dementia Friendly Community. The School will be running more projects in this area later in the year.

Boys share personal experiences as Pink Day raises £5,000

Tonbridge’s annual Pink Day was bolder and brighter than ever as boys and staff dressed in pink to raise awareness of all forms of cancer.

The event raised more than £5,000 for charities Breast Cancer Kent and Breast Cancer Now.

The main School entrance was decorated with huge pink ribbons and the front of the Cawthorne Lecture Theatre sported an enormous bow. As boys arrived for the start of the day, the site was filled with a spectacular array of costumes, and morning Chapel became a sea of pink.

The Chapel and the Front of School were illuminated in pink light late into the night, prompting many compliments from people as they passed by.

Saturday Chapel, before Pink Day, gave several Tonbridge boys an opportunity to share their own personal experiences of cancer in their families.

As Joe Baldwin (HS5), Deputy Head of School, told boys in Chapel: “By wearing a costume, and donating your money, you are showing your support for anyone who is currently going through the challenges of any cancer in their family. If that’s you and your family, then know everyone is supporting you.” l The School community achieved a record level of fundraising in the past academic year, raising more than £125,650 in many events.

Tonbridge’s Pink Day took place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October.

The School has a partnership with the charity Child Action Lanka (CAL), which carries out vital work supporting many of the poorest in Sri Lanka. There are opportunities for Sixth Formers to volunteer with CAL during their gap years, and the School hopes to arrange a visit there in 2023.

Tonbridge also has an annual CAL Day in February, when the focus is on simplicity. Boys wear home clothes and are served a simple rice and curry lunch, with all savings passed on to the charity.