Community

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Going that bit further to make a meaningful contribution to our wonderful local community is fundamental to our ethos. We were delighted, therefore, to reach the finals in the Boarding Schools Association ’ s Supporting Excellence Awards ’ Best Community Work, via the ‘On Board’ Initiative Award category. Together with our shortlisting for the AMCIS Impact Award for Partnership and Outreach at the beginning of April, these achievements recognise the amazing contributions made by our dedicated staff and girls.

DANCING FOR YEOVIL HOSPITAL

t In February, girls and staff in Aldhelmsted East Boarding House took part in a fourhour danceathon to raise money for the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal at Yeovil Hospital. We chose to support Breast Cancer because Mrs Blewitt, a tutor in East, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has bravely been fighting the disease for several months. The event included Zumba, Irish dancing and many other group dances. It was a great way for girls across all year groups to interact and bond, whilst raising money for such a worthy cause. We are so pleased that we managed to raise a total of £3,160 and were able to make a positive contribution to Yeovil Hospital.

Ella Thomas (L6)

STANDING OVATION FOR COMMUNITY VISION

In March, Rosie Hanlon (L6) and I went to Bournemouth University with five others for a conference called ‘Creating Harmony in the Community – A Dorset Journey ’ . We heard from a variety of speakers on topics such as support for ex-convicts, the benefits of physical activities for cancer patients and sustainable urban planning. Conference leader and High Sheriff of Dorset Michael Dooley encouraged us to be frank when answering questions from the floor. We talked about the importance of social and environmental harmony in a sustainable future. We were excited to represent our generation ’ s views and receive a standing ovation!

REACHING OUT ON AIR

Every Sunday, I put on my headphones at our local radio station Abbey 104 for an hour and introduce a selection of songs interspersed with anecdotes from my daily life. I started my radio programme, Indy Flow, because I wanted to combine my passions for Abroadcast journalism and music with my interest in our local community.

As well as building my presenting skills and talking about the songs I love, I also get to interact with listeners. I ask them questions about their favourite book or set a riddle, for example, and I receive lots of replies from local families and residents, and people in care homes, who are listening to my show.

Going forwards, I want to introduce interviews, for example with the bands playing at Sherborne Schools ’ Courts

Fest. I also hope to set up a competition for locals to have their original songs broadcast on Abbey 104 and the opportunity to perform them in the

Sherborne Summer Festival.

Esme Beckly (L6)

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extra mile

Finalist BSA SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2022 BES CO M M T UNITYWORKVIABSA ‘ONBOARD’ INIT I A T I V E AWARD 2 0 2 2 I M PA C T A w a r d s

Shortlisted-Partnership/OutreachImpact

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

The wonderful ‘Kenelm Roses

’ returned this term after a long-lamented absence due to COVID. As part of this annual charity event, which usually coincides with Valentine ’ s Day, members of Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School are invited to order a rose (or roses) to send to another member of the Schools ’ community. Each rose is delivered with a handwritten message provided by the sender, the aim being to bring a smile to the recipient’ s face.

This year, the funds raised went to South African charity ‘Help Kidz, ’ which supports children in crisis. Led by Kenelm ’ s two charity prefects, Cecily Snow (L6) and Raphaella Auret (L6), the girls worked extremely hard planning the entire event, from arranging the finance and collecting orders to writing out the messages and delivering the finished gifts. Congratulations to all involved for warming hearts throughout our community while supporting a worthwhile cause.

Fran Barnes, Housemistress Kenelm

SLEEP OUT TO HELP TACKLE HOMELESSNESS

Last term, Wingfield Digby took part in ‘The Big Sleep ’ in Salisbury to raise money for their chosen charity, Alabaré. For the past 14 years, Alabaré has supported homeless people across the South-West, directing funds raised to help those who have nowhere to turn.

Mrs Scott, Rev. Windle and the Wingfield Digby L6 and U5 girls headed to Salisbury Cathedral on Friday 4 March to ‘ sleep out’ with no more equipment than someone who would be sleeping rough. They kept themselves entertained with some lively games of cards before hunkering down for a very cold and noisy night.

Although challenged by the freezing weather, the girls were extremely proud of their efforts, not least because their generous sponsors helped them raise £3,899 for Alabaré. The girls plan to continue supporting the charity with future sleep outs.

Wingfield Digby charity prefect Imogen Walton (L6) recalls: “It was such a great thing to have taken part in. We had no idea how cold and uncomfortable it would be, and it was a real eye-opener to the issue of homelessness. We are all so proud we raised so much money for such a worthwhile cause ’ .

IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE

The Wootton Grove Patient Participation Group, which meets approximately once a month at Wootton Grove Medical Centre, gives patients the opportunity to provide feedback on their healthcare services. Maira Miliaki (L6) and I attend some of these meetings and we love hearing about the active steps that the medical centre is making to benefit its patients. We were particularly proud that one of our evaluations, which looked at the website and its user friendly potential was acted on, resulting in changes to the website.

Poppy Messervy (L6)