WINTER 2020
FOUNDATION FROM THE CHAIRMAN Welcome to the Winter 2020 edition of Foundation News in what continues to be our 10th Anniversary year. While the traumatic health and economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis has been a heavy burden for some, the enforced domesticity of the ‘lockdown’ seems to have brought on a period of self-reflection for others – perhaps longer sleeping hours and a search to fill the empty day ahead has provided the time and space to indulge in the past and the future.
Haileybury community who have had similar thoughts and, most likely, have acted to look after those they care most about and who they know need their help. We know Haileybury’s current Year 2 students have been doing so, participating recently in their remote learning session, which involved ‘filling up their gratitude jar’ with all the people and things in their lives they are grateful for. Perhaps gratitude is the foundation of giving? Most certainly, such thoughts and actions are all forms of giving and display a love of humankind. Either way, they have a stronger connection to the core purpose of our Foundation than may be immediately obvious
In a similar vein, when chatting with two young Old Haileyburians recently, I asked them whether they thought this strange and anxious period in their lives would have any wider and longer term effects, beyond the obvious ones we are dealing with on a daily basis. They responded by saying how it has led to them placing a greater emphasis on those they care most about, how it has taught them more about gratitude and made them realise that many of life’s challenges are best tackled together, as a community.
From the very beginning of Haileybury’s history, we have relied on the kindness and generosity of others. People have made gifts to the School to ensure that they leave it a better place than it was when they arrived as students or parents or staff. People have given clocks, windows, art works, pools and trophies. Philanthropy is in the DNA of Haileybury. Many have contributed to the cost of scholarships for boys and girls to enjoy a Haileybury education. Others have given to libraries or buildings. Still others have helped with trees, fountains, seats and gardens.
– after all, while the word philanthropy is today directly associated with charitable giving, its etymological root is ‘love of humankind’: we either give through time or through financial gifts, or both, for the betterment of others. Our Foundation project is most certainly a community endeavour and, to be successful, we need to foster a continual and evolutionary ‘culture of giving’. While we are currently enjoying a period of growth and some initial markers of success, in so many respects, our journey of underwriting Haileybury into perpetuity has only just begun. We will always need your help: whether you give during your lifetime or leave behind your own educational legacy; whether you are able to donate regularly, frequently or occasionally, we welcome your contribution. Keep well and find your own moment to reflect on gratitude and giving – it could change a child’s life, as well as your own.
I found their responses heart-warming and inspirational. I would imagine there are others in our large, broad and diverse
FROM THE VICE PRINCIPAL
NEWS
NEIL SUTCLIFFE CHAIRMAN, HAILEYBURY FOUNDATION
Those who love rowing have given a boat or an oar. Musicians have given instruments. Constantly people recognise needs and work with generous hearts to meet them. We have always been a community of great generosity, with people of vision seeking to resource the future with funds and gifts they have available. Our Foundation exists to open doorways to new opportunities, enabling new
benefactors to give to new projects; to invest in the education of their children and those beyond their immediate families for the betterment of society and the strengthening of Haileybury, now and for the future. Scott Doran VICE PRINCIPAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & ADVANCEMENT