Charity Events 2009/2010

Pirates Raise Money - 19th March 2010

Many parents came to support the Upper School production of Pirates of Penzance which was a great success. Over the three performance nights, £911.63 was raised in the end-of-show charity collection. The money will be divided equally between two charities: the Haiti Earthquake Appeal and Envision. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this fantastic total.

Governors' Challenge Benefits Cancer Centre - 5th February 2010

Science Thursdays Launch - 21st January 2010

Thursday saw the launch of 'Science Thursdays at the Dragon'. On alternate Thursdays over the course of this term Mrs Kettlewell and Mrs Ormerod, with help from Dragons, will be working with some of our partners in learning from local primary schools. The first session was 'The Reaction of Life'. Pupils and teachers from Pegasus, St Josephs and Stonesfield worked alongside Dragon pupils and enjoyed a 'hands on' hour of science learning about energy and respiration. Science Thursdays will go on to explore a wide range of topics from 'Mixed up Chemicals' to 'Particularly Amazing Particles'.

Year 6 Swim to France - 24th November 2009

In just under an hour Year 6 swam the equivalent of the English Channel for charity. The aim of this annual event is to achieve 21 miles in less than 60 minutes between the swimmers who are split into six lanes based on their ability. In a carnival atmosphere and with music playing, the pupils swam a massive 1476 lengths and achieved the Channel distance in 56mins. This awesome achievement was the second fastest in the last three years, beating the current Year 8 by 50 metres. The total raised is a wonderful £2 634.04, which the school is donating to Cool Earth to buy as many acres of Rain Forest in Peru as the money will allow.

Make a Difference Day - November 2009

Over Half-Term, Year 8 pupils went out of their way to make a difference to their neighbours, their community and even to complete strangers, contributing to the wave of kindness generated by a campaign led by CSV. Dragon pupils were all over the globe during Half-Term, and acts of kindness were recorded in Vietnam, Japan, New York and Bermuda (the pupil pictured gave muffins he baked himself to a homeless man named Johnny Barnes who himself has devoted over a quarter of a century spreading goodwill and cheer) as well as closer to home. In uncertain times the need for community spirit is greater than ever.

Bake a Free Cake - 23rd October 2009

The School was delighted once again this week to offer the Cauldron to a team of volunteers from Free Cakes for Kids. A dozen bakers made treats for children in Oxford who do not receive a cake for special occasions.

Dignity Day Royal Visit - 22nd October 2009

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway led a VIP party to the Dragon, together with President Obama’s advisor John Hope Bryant and Professor Pekka Himanen. The Crown Prince marked the 2nd Annual Global Dignity Day with this very special visit to the school. The leaders of the Global Dignity organisation joined 75 children from the school’s Year 8 for workshop sessions and lunch. The children listened to inspiring talks and debated issues of personal dignity for themselves and all their fellow citizens of the world. It was a truly memorable day for everyone involved.

D Block Fayre - 1st October 2009

The first day of October saw the first fundraising event of the year, the D Block Fayre. Somehow over 40 stalls were set up by smiling members of Year 5 on the back playground between 12.25 and 12.30 p.m.. Over the next 50 minutes the eager visitors from Year 4 to Year 8 had a wonderful time enoying the great variety of stalls with gusto. The generosity of all added up to the best Fayre the Year 5 pupils has ever staged and £667.60 will be donated to The Princes Rainforest Trust. Thank you to all who supported this event.

Child Brain Injury Trust Cheque Presentation - 25th September 2009

A cheque for £451.21 was presented at Assembly on Friday to Rachel Ritter, Fundraising Manager for the Child Brain Injury Trust. Two current Year 8 pupils handed over the cheque as the sum raised by the last group of Year 8 pupils in their charity challenge ‘Wacky Races’. Rachel made a presentation and children whose lives have been affected by a brain injury spoke of how they and their family’s lives have been changed. Rachel also made an appeal to all to wear helmets when cycling on the road.

Challenge Thanks - 14th September 2009

Following completion of the Governors’ Challenge last year, fifteen good causes received a share of £5,286.00 generated by pupils. Over the summer holiday many of these charities have sent thank you letters to the Challenge winners in appreciation of their entrepreneurial talent and philanthropy.