Written by Haja, Head Student
Last week, Bolingbroke Academy celebrated our annual Charities Week. In the gloom of January and cold weather, it was lovely to see the school community unite to raise money.
The Katherine Low Settlement allowed Bolingbroke to come together for a community-based initiative. The charity is based in the heart of Battersea and focused on supporting older people, children, young people and their families, particularly those from refugee backgrounds. There is no wonder why put on a range of events to raise money for such a special cause.
Charities Week 2023 saw the return of Sponge the Teacher, a night at the movies, and the Bake Sale. And in a Bolingbroke twist, the Staff Team were victorious in the annual Staff Vs Sixth Form Football Match! After three years of losses, the Staff managed to secure a 5-3 win (albeit every goal scored was by a Sixth Former…).
We also had a range of competitions running through the week. Congratulations to Cesare in Year 9 and Yuval in Year 8 who won the ‘Guess the Number of Sweets in the Jar’ and ‘Dominoes Raffle’ competitions.
A clear highlight for all at Bolingbroke was our first-ever Culture Day. On Thursday 26th January, the whole school came together, with faces painted with flags from all over the world and clothed in all different types of outfits. Whether it was wearing the colours of a flag, putting on a national football shirt, or dressing from head-to-toe in traditional wear, the diversity of the academy was clear to see. With many pictures being taken throughout the day and the lunchtime menu filled with cultural foods, Bolingbroke Academy became not only united by a charitable cause but also by a willingness to embrace diversity in our community. Special shout outs to Yang and Tharmika in Year 13 and our winner Rion in Year 7, who were voted by the school community for the most courageous cultural dress. It was a joy to see such a brave display of identities in a week dedicated to embracing community values.
Overall, the Student Senate and Pupil Ambassadors are proud to have organised such a community-driven week. We are thrilled to have raised £1,299 for the Katherine Low Settlement over the course of Charities Week. Thank you for all your generous donations and enthusiasm for this cause. For more information on how to support the Katherine Low Settlement, please visit: https://www.klsettlement.org.uk/.