The school supports one charity per term: a local, national and global charity on annual cycle, and girls are involved in choosing them via their School Council. Last year we chose 'Mary's Meals', and donated recycled rucksacks and various items useful for children in third world countries (global). Our national charity was 'Sign2Sing': we collected money for the deaf and took part in a record-breaking national singing and signing event.

Of course, charity begins at home, and our highlight was winning an award for our local charitable initiative. One pupil had suggested the SEWA charity (from the Sanskrit word meaning 'selfless service'), an initiative set up to encourage people to donate their time, rather than money, towards helping their local community. Following our SEWA contribution - which was to forge links with a local care home - the school was nominated for an award, and pupils and teachers were invited to a prestigious ceremony at Portcullis House in London, where we were presented with the 'Pioneer Award.'