We spoke to Miss Freeman about giving back (fundraising) in the Prep School and why the concept of giving is so important for young people.
How are you involved in the fundraising efforts at the Prep School?
I started by organising the Sponsored Walk last year and running the London Marathon alongside it. Following that, I asked if I could organise a Giving Week, but instead of raising money for external charities, each activity would focus on our School community.
How did running the London Marathon tie in with the Sponsored Walk?
I have already run five marathons: Barcelona, Edinburgh, Florence, Lisbon and Brighton. I wanted to run the London Marathon and fundraise for a charity, so I decided to tie this in with the Prep School Sponsored Walk and chose the NSPCC. The checkpoints on the course around the School grounds were London landmarks because I was running around London. I was overwhelmed by the support from staff, parents, pupils – the whole School community got behind me.
How did you choose this year’s charity?
As we supported such a big charity last year, I thought it would be appropriate to support somewhere closer to home this year, within our local community. I chose Tiggywinkles, a charity dedicated to supporting local wildlife. Each stop on this year’s walk featured a different woodland animal. Our target was to raise £1000, and we have raised over £2000. Not only was it local, but it also offered an opportunity for pupils to think about our area and issues related to the environment and sustainability. Pupils will probably have seen some of those animals in our wonderful grounds. Younger children connect with animals, which has been evident from the way they have taken to this charity. Perhaps in the future we could look at getting the pupils involved in helping to choose the charity.
What was the aim of Giving Week?
I organised a different activity every day, which centred around giving back and supporting one another. On Monday, pupils read in their Houses, which allowed them to share books with different year groups and meet children of different ages, whom they may not ordinarily play with. On Tuesday, we had a ‘clothes swap’ which allowed pupils to think about the concepts of reusing and recycling. On Wednesday, pupils decorated a plant pot, planted something in it and gifted it to someone in the School to acknowledge the work they do. On Thursday, we had a book and board game swap where pupils learnt that by exchanging their things, they are giving them a new lease of life, and someone else could enjoy them. Finally, on Friday, we had open classrooms for the first half an hour of the day. This gave parents, grandparents and friends the wonderful opportunity to look at the work pupils have been undertaking since September. By doing this, we were thinking about our community – our School community – bringing people together.
Why is it important for young children to understand the concepts surrounding giving?
I think primarily it is good for their emotional learning; understanding that not everything is given to everybody, encouraging children to think about how they can help others and not necessarily financially. We can give our time and effort. It also empowers pupils with the belief that they can make a difference themselves by helping others, even a small gesture can make a difference to someone else, like reading with one of their peers.
How do you think fundraising impacts the educational experience of pupils?
This is reflected in PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) – understanding different needs, emotionally supporting each other and helping others. Also, by sharing that learning with others, like we did when we invited friends and family to join us during Giving Week, we opened up opportunities for further discussion around their learning beyond the classroom. It also highlights important issues, such as their global impact as young members of society, taking responsibility for sustainability and the environment, for example.
What do you hope to see the School achieve in future fundraising campaigns?
In terms of giving, I would like the children to continue to have an understanding and respect for others in the School. I am also keen to encourage across year group friendships, working within their Houses and nurturing those caring, responsible, polite Prep School pupils of whom we are so proud.
How do you envision the role of fundraising evolving in the next few years?
I would like to expand the open classrooms termly rather than just for that one week. I envision Giving Week getting bigger and better!
