ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE Charity, Community & Partnerships 2026
Excellence. Differently.
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE I C H A R I T Y, C O M M U N I T Y & P A R T N E R S H I P S
Each year, we reach out to local Care Homes in the Borough of Lewisham and invite their residents to various events at the College.We also visit them with some of our Junior School pupils. These are always very rewarding experiences for both the residents and our pupils. Isabelle Blake-James, Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Relations
Junior School pupils singing Christmas Carols at the local Care Home
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Care home residents attending a production of Beauty and the Beast in the Great Hall in March 2026
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE WELCOME
W
elcome to this year’s celebration of charity, community and partnerships work at St Dunstan’s College. Our vision is of a progressive community where innovation, individuality and integrity flourish in a culture of academic excellence. We believe that education cannot simply focus on outcomes but instead should develop character and a spirit of moral ambition: nurturing young people who understand their responsibilities to others and who are committed to making a positive contribution to society.
The pages that follow illustrate how this commitment is lived out across our community. Through partnerships with local schools, charitable organisations and community groups, our pupils, staff and families have demonstrated the power of service in its many forms. Whether through volunteering, fundraising, educational outreach, sporting initiatives or the sharing of our facilities, these activities reflect a belief that schools should be active contributors to the communities they serve. Behind every partnership, event and initiative lies a willingness to give time, energy and expertise for the benefit of others. In doing so, our community demonstrates that integrity is a value that we must practise through meaningful action. This report celebrates the collective efforts of those who have contributed to this work during the past year. We are grateful to our many partners and supporters, whose collaboration enables us to extend our reach and deepen our impact. Together, we continue to show that education is at its most powerful when it combines excellence with service and ambition with a genuine commitment to the common good.
Ms J McLellan Head St Dunstan’s College
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE I C H A R I T Y, C O M M U N I T Y & P A R T N E R S H I P S
OUR COMMUNITY REACH
£253,000 Total investment from St Dunstan’s College
4,383 2,671
Total number of Lewisham residents at The Catford Weekender
Total number of hours spent volunteering
Total number of community events across the year
28,184
Total number of children reached
1,418
Total number of hours in the community
£11,772 Total amount of funds raised for charitable causes
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All figures relate to the academic year 2025-26
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OUTREACH & VOLUNTEERING 2025-26 •
Alex Yee Triathlon
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LAMDA lessons
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Red Nose Day
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Beauty & the Beast Community show
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Language Fair
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Royal British Legion Band rehearsals
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Care Home Christmas Concert
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Lewisham District Football Team
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Rushey Green State Primary School
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Catford Coding Club
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Lewisham Donation Hub
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Chelsea Football Club Partnership
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Lewisham Food Bank
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Save the Children
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Children in Need
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Lewisham History Society Talks
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Scouts’ event
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Dalmain State Primary School
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Lewisham Local volunteering
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Sport Fun 4 All
Outreach Programme
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Lewisham Sport Schools
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St Mary’s State Primary School Outreach
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Dalmain FC Girls Football
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Lewisham Youth Games
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ECT Symposium
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London Youth Games
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St Vincent de Paul’s fundraising event
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Faithfull kickoff
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London Marathons
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STEM Event Year 5 state school pupils
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Higher Education & Careers
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LYLA
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The Catford Weekender
Convention
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Mamma Kind
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UCAS Q&A and support
Hockey and Football sessions for
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Rathfern Sport Day and Christmas
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Ukrainian Bursary students
Concert
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Workshops with local state senior school
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Holbeach State Primary School •
Kilmorie State Primary School
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Rathfern Outreach Programme
Outreach Programme
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Ravensbourne Project
Outreach Programme
Programme
Heads of Careers •
XLP
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE I C H A R I T Y, C O M M U N I T Y & P A R T N E R S H I P S
SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY SPORT The Jubilee Ground situated off Canadian Avenue is so much more than a vast sport ground used by St Dunstan’s College. It is also the beating heart of Lewisham for all community sport. Over the past twelve months, we have welcomed an increasing number of organisations and local charities to use our ground for free which we are very proud of. At the end of May 2026, we welcomed 200 young people for an afternoon of football. Faithfull Kickoff’s Chair, Kwabena Ansha, writes:
“Gathering at the Jubilee Ground was a real highlight for both our church community and the young people we serve. Faithful Kickoff was about much more than football. It created a fun, welcoming space where young people from different backgrounds could make new friends, grow in confidence, and enjoy a positive afternoon together during the school holidays. It was especially encouraging to see several participants step into leadership roles, showing initiative, teamwork, and care for others. Rooted in our faith and our heart to serve the local community, the evening reminded us how important it is to create spaces where young people feel they belong and can thrive. We are grateful to St Dunstan’s for opening their doors to a local community initiative and helping make this event possible! Their generosity has enabled young people to connect in a generation where community is lacking. Thank you SDC!”
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Youth Games At The Jubilee A thank you message from Michael Ebo “I wanted to share just how grateful many of our players and parents are for the opportunity to be able to train regularly at the Jubilee. And us coaches too. Our Lewisham district U13Girls won their first cup fixture yesterday away vs Redbridge, with the game played over in Ilford. I was unable to attend myself due to a St Dunstan’s fixture in Brighton, however, the girls were brilliant, winning 5-2 and dominating the game. 13girls across 4/5 different schools in Lewisham. Parents were over the moon with the performance and result. So many new girls this year training with us (25-40 girls on Fridays now) and ultimately, it’s because you guys allow us the space and time to train. It goes a long way to building bridges in the community and yesterday’s result was a true reflection of all the work that goes into it. I truly believe Lewisham district football has the potential to be a vital link between schools’ and children throughout the borough. Thanks again to the Jubilee staff.”
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE I C H A R I T Y, C O M M U N I T Y & P A R T N E R S H I P S
GREAT HALL FOR ALL... St Vincent de Paul’s charity We were delighted to welcome the St Vincent de Paul Society, aka the SVP, to the Great Hall on 16 December 2025, when the school hosted two events in support of the charity’s vital work. The SVP’s CEO Kate Nightingale, has strong ties with the school; her son Daniel was Deputy Head boy in 2023, and her younger son still attends the school. ‘The SVP is a nationwide anti-poverty charity, with 9,0000 members dedicated to tackling poverty and supporting those most in need across more than 800 communities. The afternoon event brought together London region members and staff for a celebratory gathering that recognised the impact of their work over the last year. In the evening, the charity welcomed potential donors to learn more about the breadth of the SVP’s activities, including its 11 community centres, children’s summer camps, and local support for individuals and families facing hardship. The donor’s event, hosted by SVP Patron, Georgina, Duchess of Norfolk, raised £6, 000 with further support pledged – providing a valuable contribution to the SVP’s mission. ’ Kate Nightingale CEO
Welcome to the Scouts! For the second year running, we were delighted to welcome the Scouts for their annual award evening in September 2025. Over 200 people gathered in the Great Hall, 75 of them being scouts who had volunteered in their local community. Josh from the College’s IT Department, a Scout Leader himself and organiser, writes: “The evening saw 75 Young People sharing the expedition journeys that they undertook over the summer in England,Wales and Scotland working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. It was wonderful to see the high and lows of their experiences during their presentations and share some laughs.We also had the opportunity to present over 30 awards to those who had completed all sections of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which is always amazing to celebrate.”
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LYLA’s Debating Competition St Dunstan’s College has been welcoming the Lewisham Young Leaders Academy (aka LYLA) for six years every Saturday morning for their inspiring classes and mentoring aimed at Afro-Caribbean young people in the Borough of Lewisham. Their founder, David Okoro, writes: “On 25 October 2025 an exciting debating competition took place between the young people from Lewisham Young Leaders Academy (LYLA) and Southside Young Leaders Academy. Both teams showcased impressive teamwork, critical thinking and confidence, but it was Lewisham who emerged victorious after a lively debate. Beyond the win, the debate was a powerful learning experience for all involved. The young leaders honed their public speaking and communication skills. They also learned to listen and respond with respect. Taking part in opportunities like this helps to build confidence and leadership. Qualities that will serve them well in life, both in and beyond the classroom. We would also like to thank St Dunstans College for hosting the debate in their Great Hall and for all of the logistical support they provide during the event.Without them, the debate would not have been possible.”
The Royal British Legion We were extremely privileged to be approached once again this year by no less than The Royal British Legion to host their Concert Band over many weeks, for their Wednesday evening rehearsals. The RBL also enhanced the College’s Christmas Fair by providing a Brass Ensemble to entertain all the parents and students. However, it was our Charity Concert in February 2026 where our link was the strongest: our Corps of Drums performed alongside the RBL Band. The evening raised over £2000 for the RBL.
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE I C H A R I T Y, C O M M U N I T Y & P A R T N E R S H I P S
FRIENDS OF ST DUNSTAN’S 2025-26 As a new Friends Committee this academic year, it has been a wonderful learning experience and genuine privilege to organise events and initiatives with such enthusiastic support from parents, staff, students, and the wider College community. The Committee would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped make this such a successful and enjoyable year. The academic year began with the sell-out Cheese & Wine evening in September, which provided a fantastic opportunity for new parents to meet and existing parents to reconnect after the summer holidays. Senior School students provided a spectacular art display that was the centerpiece for the food and drinks on offer. The Christmas Fair in November brought festive magic to the College grounds, with an exciting mix of Christmas market
stalls from student entrepreneurs and local businesses, food and drinks from Holyroyd Howe, games and inflatables, and, of course, Santa’s Grotto. There were also Christmas cards on sale to support the school’s charity initiatives, climate-friendly products carefully crafted by members of the Junior School Eco Council, live music from the British Legion Band, and a bring-and-buy stall for Lewisham Donation Hub. All this combined to make a Winter Wonderland atmosphere, and the event was thoroughly enjoyed by families across the College. In March, the annual Quiz Night returned and remains one of the highlights of the Friends’ calendar. Hosted brilliantly by Alex Murphy and Mark Bacon, with a bar staffed by parent volunteers, the event was won for a second consecutive year by “Nameless,” a team of Year 4 parents, who successfully defended their
Friends of
title. A donation of £1000 was made to Lewisham Foodbank from the proceeds, and a raffle on the night raised an impressive £800 for the College Bursary Fund. The Summer Fete, held alongside the Catford Weekender event, at the end of June is the perfect way to celebrate the end of the academic year in the sunshine with friends. The inflatables zone and St Dunstan’s Bake Off Competition were huge hits, as always, and market stalls hosted by year groups and local businesses made it a fantastic community event. Hundreds of books and toys generously donated by the College community were also distributed to the Junior School Library and Mama Kind. This year has seen record funds raised through these Friends’ events (£29,200 raised) and the College Shop (£17,700 raised), which is run by an amazing
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team of parent and student volunteers. Funds are allocated through an annual bidding process, enabling the Committee to support projects and opportunities that benefit students across the entire College community, including support for the Year 6 and 13 leavers’ activities. One of the most significant achievements this year, though, was the opening of a new outdoor shelter, providing a permanent, weather-proof space that is already proving to be a hugely valuable and wellused addition to the College site.
SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERING... Dr Joseph Yu has been leading our students’ volunteering in a most inspiring way over the past twelve months and volunteering opportunities are increasing all the time: from helping at the Lewisham Donation Hub on a Wednesday, to assisting with the running of the Coding Club on a Saturday morning, combined with dozens of opportunities within the College on a Wednesday Forder slot, the scope and breadth are endless. And the results are astounding too. The introduction of the online volunteering platform Zooniverse during the 2025-26 Academic Year has been very impactful too: • •
Sustainability has been an increasingly important focus this year. The Committee are delighted to have reduced wastage and the use of plastics and wrapping paper at Friends’ events, while continuing to encourage recycling initiatives, wherever possible — something the Committee hopes to build on further in the years ahead, with the help of the Junior School Eco Councillors. Finally, thank you once again to everyone who has supported the Friends of St Dunstan’s this year, whether by attending events, volunteering time, donating resources, or simply cheering us on. The success of Friends’ events and fundraising initiatives is only possible because of the generosity and spirit of this wonderful community. Ruth Sturdy & Sarah Findlay Friends of St Dunstan’s, Co-Chairs
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Students learn valuable skills through hands-on participation in citizen science projects. They gained experience in data analysis, project management, and teamwork, as well as an understanding of scientific concepts relevant to their chosen projects. By engaging with real-world data, students contribute to valuable research outcomes, fostering a sense of community and encouraging critical thinking. Their involvement not only impacts scientific progress but also enhances their educational experience, fostering skills that are applicable in various fields.
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE I C H A R I T Y, C O M M U N I T Y & P A R T N E R S H I P S
SPOTLIGHT ON THE CATFORD WEEKENDER The Catford Weekender was in its third year of existence in 2026 and was a resounding success despite the heatwave gripping London at the time which meant several events had to be rescheduled. The vital statistics for the community weekend are:
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Footfall: 4,383
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A free magic show with 600 attendees
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Over 450 performers including local choirs , bands soloists creating 24h of music
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All events were totally free for the local community and included a silent disco, an open air cinema showcasing the De-Lorean DMC12 for the showing of Back to the Future, a family fete and a Junior Open Mic with upcoming talents.
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Headline Sponsor Judge & Priestley: “We are delighted to be supporting the Catford Weekender as Headline Sponsor. At Judge & Priestley, we are proud to be part of our local community, and this partnership with St Dunstan’s College reflects our shared commitment to bringing people together and celebrating local talent. As a firm which offers a comprehensive range of legal services, we are passionate about providing clear, trusted advice with a personal and approachable touch, where understanding our clients and supporting them through important life decisions is at the heart of what we do.We are excited to play a role in helping this fantastic event continue to thrive and grow.”
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DALMAIN COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR ‘We have worked with Dalmain Girls Football Club and Dave McLaren (Winning Post Arts & Sports) for a number of years, offering spaces to local schools and community led sports provision to engage with girls (predominantly), about the benefits of sports for health and wellbeing and social interaction. This culminates in the annual St Dunstan’s Girls Football Tournament with over 12 schools competing in Years 5 & 6. Last year the event was one by St Augustine’s School and the event was supported by Chelsea FC who supplied referees and prizes for competitors .’ Gavin Halil
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE I C H A R I T Y, C O M M U N I T Y & P A R T N E R S H I P S
WE ARE A PHILANTHROPIC SCHOOL... In May 2026, we decided to survey all our staff in respect of their volunteering and charitable commitment in their personal lives. The results were heartwarming: over 50% confirmed they volunteered outside the College as Chair of Boards or Charity Trustees, on the ground volunteer for food banks, mentor or coach, school governor or PTA member and 70% of those who responded confirmed they regularly donated to charity.
On average, how many hours per month do you dedicate to external volunteering? Less than 1 hour a month = 19 1-2 hours = 2 3-5 hours = 10 5-10 hours = 4 10 hours + = 4 Do you volunteer for any organisations outside of St Dunstan’s Yes
52%
48%
No
“I volunteer regularly for my cycling club (Dulwich Paragon), helping to run cycle racing events. I raised £2000 for Macmillan Cancer lat year running the London Marathon. I also helped out with Plan Zheroes, a charity who collect surplus food from Borough Market and distribute to local homeless shelters. I also helped with Balham White Eagle Club Ukraine Appeal, loading supplies onto lorries bound for Ukraine.” Helen Morris, Staff
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OUR STAFF & STUDENT FUNDRAISERS... George Ledger Humphreys, the College’s SSI and Outdoor Activities Instructor (below), undertook a three-hour timed run during on the school fields for the Charlie Waller Foundation and raised just shy of £3,000. Our our Head of school, Emmanuel
Ogunfuye (right), ran a half marathon with friends Hamish and Alfie and they raised £651 for Sussex Beacon which supports people living with HIV. Jack Macklin, Head of Year 7, also raised over £200 for the charity Smart Works. Congratulations to all!
“Last year I got a place in the London Marathon through the ballot and chose to run it for Great Ormond Street Hospital, raising around £1500. I chose this charity as my great, great, great uncle was Sir JM Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan and gave all the rights to Great Ormond Street Hospital.” Staff Anonymous
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE I C H A R I T Y, C O M M U N I T Y & P A R T N E R S H I P S
THE PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE Street Child Philanthropy Workshop On 30 January 2026, five Sixth Form students attended a workshop in central London organised by international charity Street Child which was founded in Sierra Leone in 2008. Street Child now works in over 20 of the world’s lowestincome and most disaster-affected countries, including Afghanistan, Ukraine and Somalia and they address all the barriers which prevent a child from being safe, in school and learning. They provide emergency aid and mental health support, build schools, train teachers, reunite families, develop livelihoods and help out-of-school children into education. Our students learnt what philanthropy means, what motivates donors to give and so much more. The College’s Philanthropy Committee is thriving, led by Head of Sixth Form, Alex Brewer.
“I was proud of our Sixth Form students wanting to attend the Street Child workshop in central London. What struck me most was how quickly they moved beyond simply wanting to ‘help’ and began engaging with the real complexity of philanthropy: how need is identified, how donor trust is built, and how aid can be delivered sustainably rather than merely with good intentions. Hearing directly about Street Child’s work in places like Afghanistan, Ukraine and Somalia gave our students a grounded understanding of what it takes to keep a child safe, in school and learning amid crisis. They returned to College energised, already discussing how these principles might shape our own fundraising this year. It is heartening to see them treating philanthropy as a genuine skill, one that demands empathy, rigour and a willingness to ask difficult questions about impact.” Alex Brewer, Head of Sixth Form
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A NEW PARTNERSHIP TO BE PROUD OF Stillness School “A particular highlight
In July 2026, we welcomed for the second year running (no pun intended!) the Alex Yee triathlon: 30 local state schools were represented bringing over 1100 participants onto the College’ top field.
was Alex taking the time to speak with the children, sign their T-shirts and medals, and celebrate their participation. As a former
Headteacher of Stillness Junior School, which Alex Yee attended as a child, recalls her experience of the day:
Stillness pupil, he made an additional effort to engage with the children, creating
“We were delighted to take part in the Triathlon event for the second year. Alex was a pupil at Stillness Junior School so being invited to participate was a particular honour for our school community. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in all three events – cycling, swimming and running. The emphasis throughout the morning was firmly on participation rather than winning, creating an inclusive and supportive environment where children of all abilities and levels could get involved. Every participant received a medal and T-shirt, which the children were encouraged to proudly showcase at our annual Sporting Achievement Assembly in July. The event provided our pupils with a positive opportunity to be active, challenge themselves and celebrate their
a meaningful connection between his own journey and them taking part.” Mrs M Nichol, Headteacher
achievements alongside their peers. Both children and staff enjoyed the morning, which was extremely well organised and supported by enthusiastic and engaged staff. As Alex’s Year 6 teacher and now Headteacher, I am thoroughly proud of his achievements. Seeing him inspiring our pupils through his sporting success was particularly meaningful. His involvement demonstrated to our children what can be achieved through determination,
commitment and perseverance, while reminding them that their own achievements, whatever their level, are worthy of celebration. Overall, the event had a significant positive impact on our pupils, promoting physical activity, confidence, inclusivity and a genuine enjoyment of sport. Alex’s presence added an important personal dimension, providing our children with a positive role model and a powerful example of how far a former Stillness pupil can go.”
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ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE I C H A R I T Y, C O M M U N I T Y & P A R T N E R S H I P S
SPOTLIGHT ON CHARITY FUNDRAISING The student body is always keen to support local, national or international charities close to their hearts. The following are the key charities supported during 2025-26 by the College’s students through regular events such as ribbon selling, cake bakes, battle of the bands, sponge the teacher, vintage sale and book swap, a colour run and so much more: LOCAL COMMUNITY & FOOD SUPPORT: Lewisham Donations Hub, Lewisham Food Bank and Lewisham Local HEALTH & WELLBEING CHARITIES: Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust, Young Minds and International Cancer Awareness Initiatives NATIONAL & UK-WIDE CHARITIES: Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal £1424, Children in Need, Red Nose Day WIDER & INTERNATIONAL CAUSES: Charlie Waller Foundation, Jamaica Pillow Appeal, Women of Troy: Children in Gaza Crisis Appeal, Street Child
TOTAL: £11,772 ‘As well as my role as Charity Co-ordinator for the Junior School - where the children are now so enthusiastic about litter picking around Catford, that I fear they may soon start inspecting my own driveway - I also spend some (certainly not all!) of my spare time volunteering in the local community. Closer to home, I regularly take part in litter picks around my village and help with community clean-up days, usually involving clearing mountains of leaves or attempting to tame overgrown bushes in the local park and I help drive children with severe medical needs on their day trips, supporting fundraising events and working as a one-to-one helper during outings whether the minibus is required or not!’ Helen Morris, Junior School Charity Champion
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A SHOUT OUT FOR JUNIOR FUNDRAISERS Once again this year, students in the Junior School have surpassed themselves by raising a grand total of £6,227 for various charities, under the expert guidance of their Charity Co-ordinator, Helen Morris. From crepe stall to craft stalls, from getting dressed for world ocean day to wearing a Christmas jumper, from saving the pangolins to wearing a red nose, the students of the Junior School did it all:
TOTAL: £6,227
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Lewisham Foodbank £505
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Children in Need £783.75
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Cancer Research £1,500
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Lewisham Foodbank £138.50
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MNDA South London Branch £214.40
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Fauna and Flora UK £240
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Cancer Research £487.50
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MNDA South London Branch £250
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Lewisham Foodbank £1,337.60
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Save the Children £541.49
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NSPCC £370.76
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Cancer Research £700
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Fauna & Flora £233.75
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Comic Relief £643.94
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MammaKind n/a
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MNDA South London Branch £120
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WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation) £579.23
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