Community Issue 4 - Dec 2018

Together, we can #BeRemarkable

Issue 4 | December 2018

FUNDRAISING, SOCIAL EVENTS & SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

#FestiveFair2018 Photo gallery and fundraising news

Raise money for the school just by shopping at Sainsbury’s

The Festive Fair raised £10,000 towards an on-site defibrillator and the student loo makeovers – thanks to you, our community!

You can see all the fun of the fair here

Our funding gap: Why we need your help For each of our students, we receive just under £4,500 per year (That’s around 20% less than the national average)* We have historically received some of the lowest government funding in the UK, and still feel the impact of this shortfall on our aging facilities and resources. The national funding formula determines the distribution of funds based on the number of students on the roll, deprivation of the area (notably, the low deprivation of our geographical location has a detrimental impact on the funding we receive per child) and any individual special needs.

The funding we do receive is invested in exceptional staff, and covers our basic overheads, maintenance and core resources for teaching the curriculum. But it only goes so far.

Here are just some of the costs that are not covered: • Refurbishments, such as classroom improvements - your child’s learning environment • Improved facilities like a dedicated Drama studio, and past projects including our dedicated sixth form study space, upgraded Science labs and equipment, plus the astro pitch • The refurbishment of student WC facilities – a basic requirement in a Western society like the UK, yet something we can’t fund independently • Additional tools and resources to improve learning opportunities, including computers and devices

We are always incredibly grateful to those parents who support our efforts.

Thank you once again for going the extra mile.

As you can see, we ask our community to support us with donations and time for a very real and urgent need. And, as only 25% of families donate to the school’s annual fundraising (compared to 60% and higher at other local grammar schools) we fear our aging facilities will not be up to scratch for our students.

On the following pages, we’ve outlined some of the simple ways you can help us.

We hope you will find a way to do your bit – for the school, and your child.

Rachel Smith, Amy Thompson and the team at BHS BEACONSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL * From the Institute for Fiscal Studies: Long-run comparisons of spending per pupil across different stages of education (Aug 2018)

Ways to help us raise…

Donating on a regular basis enables the school to confidently plan ahead on improvement projects. Whether £10, £20 or £50 each month, if all families contributed to our annual fundraising efforts we would be in a much stronger position financially, and, ultimately, able to make change.

Did you know that you can help the school raise vital funds just by doing your normal online shopping? Sign up for Easyfundraising and purchase from your favourite websites via the Easy site to generate cashback from retailers – it couldn’t be easier to do your bit for the school!

Instead of paying for your Sainsbury's shopping by card or cash, you could shop with a Sainsbury's gift card provided through the Beaconsfield High School Supermarket Voucher Scheme. For all the money credited to these gift cards, the school receives a bulk buy discount of 4% from Sainsbury's.

How to do your bit…

Our Form Reps are vital to the school community, connecting students and parents within the form group and spreading important community messages from the school. There are several form groups (below) that still don’t have a representative. Could it be you going forward? 9BHU, 9HOL, 10BHU, 10HML, 10HOL, 10RAM, 11BHU, 11RAM, Sixth Form tutor groups.

The Friends of Beaconsfield High School will be meeting in the new year and new members are welcome. If you’d be able to help with one of the following areas of community building please keep an eye out for further info on meeting up.

Hundreds Club

Y7&8 discos

Quiz/comedy nights

Sainsbury’s Gift Cards

Summer event

Festive Fair

Do you have a license to drive a mini bus? If so, our sportspeople need you! We compete in many competitions offsite and regularly have to organise volunteer bus drivers to help.

Do you have experience that would be relevant to our aspiring young people? Could you offer work placements, or deliver a talk? We offer a wealth of opportunities that enable you to make a difference to our young women.