December 2011 Update
The lead up to Christmas has been a busy time for the Development Ambassadors. To begin with we had our first Year 7 Movie Night for this term, which has been the most popular Movie Night yet! With a record-breaking 78 enthusiastic Y7s in attendance, refreshments quickly sold out, including the popcorn generously donated by Cineworld in High Wycombe.
The girls came equipped with sleeping bags, beanbags and pyjamas to enjoy the hilarious talents of Rowan Atkinson in Johnny English. We would again like to thank the Y7s for their immense support, without you, we would not have been able to raise the £186.25 that we did!
We are also in the final stages of putting together our Would I Lie To You Teacher Quiz, taking place on Wednesday 7 December. The past few weeks has seen the Development Ambassadors collecting up unknown comical tales from teachers’ pasts, such as “I once ran naked across a quad at Oxford University as a student for a college challenge!” With people already asking for tickets before we’ve started advertising, we hope it will prove to be a very successful event.
With so many events to organise before the end of term, the Development Ambassadors have really been working hard as a team to make everything come together. On top of that, they all seem to be enjoying themselves! Here are a few highs and lows of being a Development Ambassador, from the Development Ambassadors themselves.
“I think that being a Development Ambassador has been really fun, as I have become closer with people in the years below, as well as the year above. I also really enjoy working with Kike and Mrs Morgan, so overall it’s enjoyable, rather than a stress like other work in Sixth Form is. At this point I cannot think of any 'lows' as it has been really fun so far!”
Tigs Knowles Y12
“Being a Development Ambassador is a great opportunity and one that I enjoy doing. My favourite thing in this role is being creative and coming up with new fundraising ideas; however, it is hard sometimes when movie nights are not successful. I do hope that in the future we are able to raise the sufficient funds to create the new performing arts block.”
Annie Halhead Y9
We seem well on our way to reaching our £2,500 goal to go towards the Play Your Part Campaign. What with the first of our movie nights, the popular Rag Bag textiles recycling scheme, which has raised £227.50 (455 kg), and various sales of cakes and WHS merchandise, within these past three months we have raised a fantastic £972.33! We could not have done this without the support of the students, staff, parents and friends of Wycombe High School, and we hope to absolutely smash our goal.
Kike Oludemi
Head of Development
November 2011 Update
Wycombe High School is nationally and internationally acclaimed for its exceptional ability in all fields, academic and artistic. The school is committed to developing a rounded young woman, capable of achieving highly in all walks of life. The launch of the Play Your Part fundraising campaign will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for students to enhance their creative horizons, and to explore the Arts without any hindrances.
In 2009 the school launched the role of the Development Ambassadors, which involved a team of students raising money to go towards the school development fund. This year, the Development Ambassadors have set themselves a goal to raise £2,500 to go towards the first phase of the Performing Arts Centre Campaign; building a new Music Centre. We have various events planned in order to meet, and hopefully surpass this goal
Custom Greeting Card Project
Thank you to all who participated in the Art Projects for Schools custom greeting card project this year. With your help we received 123 orders this year (up from last year) raising over £90 to go towards our £2,500 goal. The artwork submitted was once again fantastic; everything from photos, collages, drawings, paintings and graphics. Congratulations to Bryony Warnock-Horn from Curie 1 who brought in the most orders and won a box of Celebrations for her efforts. The cards have now arrived and will be delivered to your daughters shortly.
Teacher “Would I Lie To You?” Quiz
We feel that it is extremely important to involve the entire school community while fundraising for this worthy cause. Because of this, we have enlisted the help of seven enthusiastic teachers to run Wycombe High’s very own spin-off of the popular BBC comedy quiz. “Would I Lie To You?” during lunch on 7 December. There will be a small entry fee and refreshments sold on the day.
Christmas Candy Cane Project
Last year, a hugely successful Candy Cane Delivery Scheme was run, with students being able to send candy canes to fellow students, and students at John Hampden Grammar School. This year, we hope to do the same, with hopes to possibly extend to the Royal Grammar School. We are approaching retailers in the area for donations of candy canes; if you know of a sponsor that we could approach, please contact the Development Office on 01494 897309.
Movie Nights Sponsored by Cineworld
Thanks to the amazing support shown by the pupils and parents of the school, we raised nearly £600 to go towards the School Development Fund and with this year’s films already shortlisted, we hope to emulate the same success. Entry is free. However, we raise money by selling refreshments some of which are generously donated by Cineworld in High Wycombe. Our first Movie Night is Friday 11 November for Year 7. They have chosen ‘Johnny English’ as their film of choice. A ParentMail letter was sent to you with copies in the Christie Letter Rack and in the Development Course on Moodle. Please encourage your daughters to attend and (if they wish) to bring a sleeping bag and pillow on the night.
RagBag Recycling Scheme
The Rag Bag recycling scheme is an easy way to raise money for the school. The school gets paid 50 pence for every kg of textiles donated. Last year we raised £429 by collecting 857kg, and this year we are aiming for one tonne! We are looking for bags, belts, curtains, towels and bed linen (sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers). So please ask your family, friends, teachers and neighbours to contribute. Please make sure your contributions are in a plastic bag. We’ve raised £106 already this year thanks to your support.
Easter Egg Hunt
Last year’s development ambassadors ran a very popular Easter egg hunt for Year 7’s, 8’s and some very keen Year 9’s! However we could not make as much money as we wanted because of the costs encountered with buying the Easter eggs. So this year we would be extremely grateful for donations or a sponsorship of Easter eggs. Once again, we are approaching retailers in the area for donations of candy canes; if you know of a sponsor that we could approach, please contact the Development Office on 01494 897309.
Valentine’s Day Disco
On 10 February 2012, the Development Ambassadors are organising a disco to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We welcome any volunteers to help chaperone the event, which is sure to be a success.
Talent Shows and Showcases
Considering we are raising money for a new Performing Arts Centre, we saw it only fit that we showcase the talent our school is bursting with. From musical, to theatrical, to rhythmical, we truly believe that talent shows and showcases are an excellent way to show just how worthy the cause is, as well as raising a lot of money.
Possible Future Projects
The Development Ambassadors, the staff and the students have come up with some brilliant ideas that we hope to implement in the future.
October Update
2011 – 2012 Development Ambassadors
It is with great pleasure that we introduce this year’s Development Ambassadors. For the first time in the history of WHS, we have our first Head of Development, Kike Oludemi. Kike is responsible for leading the new team of Development Ambassadors comprised of four students from Years 8, 9 and 12 (not pictured).
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Head of Development – Kike Oludemi |
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Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 12 |
|
Georgia Dean |
Sophie Ashmore |
Aisha Akeil |
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Louise De Ban |
Kathryn Baker |
Zahra Bashir |
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Sophie Millen |
Annie Halhead |
Briony Brock |
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Katy Wilson |
Arabella Ryall |
Tigs Knowles |
The Development Ambassadors need you all to Play your Part by supporting their projects for the coming year. All funds raised will be going towards the Performing Arts Campaign.
July Update
The Development Ambassadors contributions to the overall funds raised by the Development Office this year included producing events such as the Interform Sports Day Cake Sale, Movie Nights and Easter Egg Hunt; introducing new WHS branded products with the GCSE and A Level Artwork and Digital Photography Notelets; and launching the Custom Card Project and RagBag Recycling scheme which we will continue into the next academic year.
More importantly Development Ambassadors have raised the profile and changed the ethos of fundraising for the school itself. They recently presented to the Leadership Group who were thoroughly impressed by the professionalism of the presentation, delivery and Q & A session that followed. So much so, that they suggested they present to the entire school during the Friday all school assembly. Needless to say we are very proud of their accomplishments.
And, the term isn’t over yet. We have a Year 7 Movie Night to go Friday 8 of July and the Sports Day Interform Cake Sale Competition. So please encourage your daughter to participate in the last two events and attend Sports Day to buy some WHS branded notelets, placemats and coasters.
May/June Update
Congratulations to the first ever Development Ambassadors who, with the support of WHS friends, staff, students and parents, raised £2,121 for the School Development Fund and £264.00 for the Music Department since the launch of the programme in April 2010.
In the 2009/2010 academic year, money was raised primarily by selling WHS merchandise at school events. This year was no different with 28% of sales come event sales, 23% from Rag Bag Recycling, 19% from Movie Nights, 18% from the Easter Egg Hunt and 10% from the Arts Projects for Schools Christmas Card Project.
The Summer Term holds more opportunities to raise funds. We have four movie nights scheduled and the Inter-form Sports Day Cake Sale Competition to help us raise even more! We can’t thank you enough for supporting our fundraising efforts. Our school could not continue to develop at the pace it is, without the support of parents and students.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the current Development Ambassadors for their enthusiasm, creativity, energy and time they have dedicated to raising funds for the school. Laura, Tamsin and Tanya attended their last meeting recently and Dani left the team in earlier in the Autumn. We thank them all for their respectful contributions and wish Drishti, Widad, Charlie, Alicia and Megan the best of luck for the Summer Term.
2011 – 2012 Recruitment
I am looking for 12 organised, dedicated and self motivated leaders from Years 8, 9 and 12 (current Years 7,8 and 11) to market and sell WHS branded products and Music CDs and DVDs at evening school events, produce fundraising events and promotional materials. Separate from the established Charity work, Development Ambassadors will be focusing on marketing and fundraising for the school itself.
For the first time Wycombe High School will have a Year 13 Head of Development who will meet with the Development Ambassadors regularly to identify projects, assign roles and responsibility, delegate and monitor progress. They in turn will be supported by Form Captains who will encourage their Forms to participate in Development Fundraising activities, as well as, devise their own projects (e.g. cake sales, etc.)
If your daughter is interested in business, graphic design, marketing, public relations, and event management they should consider applying for the role. They will be able to build up community service hours, acquire new skills and experience that they can include in their UCAS personal statements and CV’s. Successful candidates will be awarded Development Ambassador Badges in assembly.
All current Year 7 and 8 students will be receiving a Job Description when they return from Half Term. Job Descriptions can be found on notice boards, Moodle and in the letter racks in Christie. If your daughter is interested in applying, she may send a letter to me, Mrs Morgan, Development Director c/o Staff Room. Please suggest they include details of any interests or experience they have which may assist in their application. It would also be helpful to note what form they are in. Deadline for applications is Monday 20 June. If you or your daughter have any questions, please contact me on Moodle, via e-mail dmorgan@whs.bucks.sch.uk, or by telephone at 01494 897309.
I look forward to working with and being inspired by your daughters to expand the culture of philanthropic giving, engaging parents, alumnae and the community to fundraise on behalf of the school.