Team work is key to any fundraising activity.
We are extremely grateful to our Davison families who have supported many of our local, national and international appeals over the years. For example, the Shoebox Appeal, Macmillan Coffee Morning and Harvest ‘giving appeals’ are so successful due to the generosity of parents, carers, students and staff. Our non-school uniform day proceeds are shared between a chosen charity and FODS. We have 5 year group charity weeks each academic year, supporting different local and national charities. We have supported many charities over the years, including; Save the Children, MIND, Barnardo’s, Children in Need, Comic/Sport Relief, St Barnabas Hospice, Chestnut Tree House, Guildcare, Oscar’s Wish, Movember, Ferring Country Centre and Superstar Arts.
Spotlight – is our fantastic charity fundraising ‘talent show’, organised annually by the Community Prefects. They hold auditions, run the rehearsals and perform their very own team act for the show. Spotlight features a variety of delightful student (and sometimes staff) performances, including singers, dancers and musical groups, to name but a few. Proceeds from the evening are in aid of the Prefect’s chosen charity of the year. This whole school event is always a sell-out and brings parents/carers, families, students, staff and guests from the charity together for a wonderful evening of entertainment.
Charity Weeks – each year group holds a whole school vote to choose a charity or good cause they would like to fundraise for. Together with their Head of Year, Community Team and Form Tutors, they decided what type of fundraising activities they would like to hold. They promote their fundraising initiatives to the whole school by designing posters, creating a promotional assembly presentation or marketing email. Stating the date, time, location, and details of the events and which charity they will be raising funds for and information about the charity.
Shoebox Appeal – we have supported the charity Link to Hope and their appeal for many years. Donated items, such as shower gel, shampoo, soap, flannels, sweets, soft toys, hats, scarves and gloves are brought into school and carefully arranged into shoeboxes. These are then wrapped in Christmas paper and delivered by lorry to families in Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria and Ukraine. Many of these families do not have running water, heating or electricity and live in appalling conditions. Knowing that our shoeboxes will bring smiles to thousands of people is why we support this appeal.
Macmillan Coffee Morning – every September we take part in the ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’. Students and staff donate cakes, which are sold at break time by the Senior Prefect Team, to students and staff! Macmillan Cancer Support provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer.
Harvest – Worthing Food Foundation is a local charity we have supported for many years. They believe everyone has the right to food and essentials, regardless of the difficulties and issues they may face in their lives. Our Harvest assemblies are a joyous occasion, with wonderful decorated Harvest boxes, filled with a variety of store cupboard items, generously donated by parents, carers, students and staff.
Poppy Appeal – our students are extremely resourceful in using their creative skills when thinking about ways to fundraise. They have crocheted and handmade countless poppies, selling their creations during break times, alongside edible poppies! The poppy is the enduring symbol of remembrance. The Royal British Legion’s use funds raised to help veterans and service men and women in need across the country.
Marie Curie – the ‘daffodil flower pin’ appeal is a firm favourite in our school calendar. To help advertise the appeal at a local level, students and staff were inspired to design and make dresses out of daffodil flower pins. These eye-catching dresses were displayed in Marie Curie charity shop windows to help highlight the urgent need to take care of our communities. By wearing a daffodil pin Davison raised funds as well as raising awareness.
Comic/Sport Relief – are biennial charity events which bring together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money to help vulnerable people in both the UK and the world’s poorest countries. Davison students and staff take part in these events with great enthusiasm! In the past Comic Relief has showcased karaoke sessions, bake sales and raffles. Whilst Sport Relief brings out the competitive side of its participants in ‘Clash of the Titans’! Student v staff teams, rise to the challenge to see who will be victorious in the ‘obstacle endurance race’. This is always a fiercely fought title, with staff trying their hardest to win, however our students are always triumphant!
Local Care Homes – interacting with people of a different generation is a wonderful way for students to develop skills such as empathy and communication. The impact of intergenerational activities and events is mutually beneficial to students and residents alike. These are hugely valuable opportunities which can bring so much joy and positivity to those involved. Helping to promote a greater understanding and respect between generations, contributes to building a more cohesive community.
The Music department calendar is jam packed with requests for musical performances at local care homes and primary schools. Each year the choir sings in town centre at Christmas more recently they performed at the Worthing Lions charity concert.