First ever Giving Weekend and Annual Fund

Thanks to the enthusiasm of our students and the support of our parents we are in the process of seeing four fantastic projects take shape in the College for next year – Improved Social Spaces, Refurbishing the Lower Chaplaincy, two new Cricket Pitches and our first ITLC Classroom.

Fundraising for projects in the College has been off the agenda for a while, so this year we dipped our toes in the water with our first ever Annual Fund and a student organised Giving Weekend in March to raise awareness. Thanks to the generosity of parents we raised over £55,000, exceeding our initial target, all in support of these fantastic projects.

Our Giving Weekend was focused on bringing our school together to have fun and celebrate their community. The undoubted highlight was the Inter-House Fancy Dress Competition for years 7 -10 on Saturday night, which saw St John’s victorious in two categories. Year 11 had their first taste of the Windmill and all looked incredible as they learned to ballroom dance and enjoyed spectacular mocktails. The VI Form Debate, with guest speaker Martin Vander Weyer, was a lively discussion and the students ended their evening in Main Hall, surrounding Louis Moss (St John’s) as he accompanied them in a singalong around the piano.

As we look ahead, we have a lot to learn from this year. I am delighted that we will be starting our first Parents’ Social and Fundraising Committee. This will represent parent views on future fundraising, organise social activities at Ampleforth and further afield, and work with us in building support. The Giving Weekend 2023 is going to be bigger and better, with whole school, staff and parent challenges to bring us together. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together over the next year.

Thank you for all your support so far.

Emma Craig Development Office

£55,000 raised