Founder’s Giving Day
Founder’s Day
As members of the Josephite-Georgian Family, Founder's Day is about the past, the present and the future. We celebrate our Founder, Constant van Crombrugghe every year on the 1st December with school events and an annual Giving Day. Find out more about our Founder.
In the spirit of our Founder, this year we are launching The Father Martin Ashcroft Founder's Award to raise money to support a new bursary place at the College as Father Martin celebrates his 50th year as a Josephite. Read more about Fr Martin’s life at St George’s.
Who are we raising money for?
On Founder’s Day this year we are aiming to raise a minimum of the first year of College fees for the new bursary student joining us in September 2024. If you are able to donate this year, please help towards the £25,000 target at whatever level you can to help make another young person’s Georgian future possible.
Bursary recipient's story
Current parent Juliet's experience with SGW and the bursary scheme has been nothing short of transformative. Juliet is a dedicated nurse who works night shifts, a single parent, and a woman who, against all odds, has been able to provide her children with opportunities that seemed out of reach. She discovered the St George’s bursary scheme through an SGW parent patient she was treating in the hospital.
Juliet said, "For a single parent who never dreamt I could offer or give my children these kinds of opportunities, the bursary has provided great opportunities for both my children and set them up for life, hopefully. It has been amazing because finance is always an issue, so hopefully my children know what they have been given and they will make the most of it because not everyone gets this chance…I am so grateful."
Juliet acknowledges that their journey has not been without its challenges. For example, her heart sinks when her daughter requests to go for sleepovers. Unfortunately, Juliet has had to decline these invitations, as she is unable to reciprocate. Juliet lives in a two-bedroom apartment and must share a bedroom with her daughter. Juliet explains that this is a small thing in comparison to the benefits her children have gained by attending an independent school.
In contrast to the school they previously attended, St George’s has provided a nurturing environment, where children are treated as individuals, and all are encouraged in a happy atmosphere where there is a love of learning.
“St George’s has provided my son with a supportive community and the tools and opportunities to excel academically and beyond. He now takes Chemistry, Biology, and Maths at A-levels, this is down to the exceptional teaching and environment he is in at St George’s", said Juliet.
Juliet’s son added “I am very thankful and lucky to have had the opportunity to attend such a good school. My friends in other schools, finish their day earlier and don’t have many after school clubs. At St Georges, all the clubs are included. I play the piano and violin and can continue with my tennis. The class sizes are much smaller, which makes learning easier”.
“Teachers are welcoming and warm, they made settling in very easy”. (Fourth Year student)
“Bursaries are great, education is something that should not be compromised”. (Emaan, Lower Sixth)
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I know some parents give to capital projects that benefit their children, but for someone to donate money to help someone they don’t even know and to extend the opportunity for someone else’s child to receive the same quality of education their child or they themselves received is true kindness”. (Upper Sixth pupil)
Why Give?
Our vision is to establish a future where admission to St George’s is determined by a child’s potential to flourish within our community, not constrained by financial means. This transformational step embodies St George’s core values. In a special tribute to Father Martin's remarkable 50 years as a Josephite, we are establishing a bursary in his honour. This new bursary will allow a child to attend St George's in September 2024 on a transformational bursary (full funding), thanks to the generosity of our donors. To find out more about the Bursary Fund at St George’s, we invite you to read our recent article in the Always Georgian magazine here.
Founder's Day Events
Leading up to Founder's Day, Junior School pupils will delve into the history of our founder, Constant van Crombrugghe, learn about the Josephites, and discover the rich heritage of St George's. On the day itself, children will arrive at school dressed in party mufti, partake in a special Mass, and enjoy a day filled with exciting activities and a special lunch. At the College, students will showcase their remarkable talents in the Founder's Day Inter-house Talent Show on the Thursday evening, an event that would surely make Constant van Crombrugghe proud. On the 1st of December, all students will come to school in non uniform and participate in a special Mass.
1. What is the Founder’s Day Challenge for?
Every year, on 1 December, St George’s Weybridge celebrates Founder’s Day and asks the Georgian community to support bursaries. This year, to celebrate Father Martin’s 50th year as a Josephite we have created a special bursary in his honour called The Father Martin Ashcroft Founder’s Award with the aim of creating a bright future for a child on a low-income family who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to come to St George’s. All the money raised on Founder’s Day will go to this Bursary Award, however there is an option to direct funds to where the school needs it most through the unrestricted fund.
2. What is happening on Founder’s Day?
We have lots planned for Founder’s Day from a special Mass at both schools, to a Constant van Crombrugghe treasure hunt to a disco and a talent show. It will be a fun day for all! More information can be found here.
3. What are transformational bursaries?
A transformational bursary provides full support for a child throughout their time at the school and is specifically for those families with extremely limited means. At St George’s a transformational bursary represents 80% + of fees covered by the School. Currently, 3% of College students receive a transformational bursary.
4. How do bursaries and scholarships differ?
A bursary is different to a scholarship and/or any other fee reduction. Bursaries are means-tested grants which provide a complete or partial reduction in school fees for children from families with limited means. The overriding criteria for receiving a bursary is the financial circumstances of the family (which are assessed closely for each application). Scholarships provide a capped reduction on fees awarded to recognise talent, accomplishment and potential across a range of different areas including academic, sport, performing and creative arts. Scholarships are not means tested.
5. Where does my donation go?
You donation will go to The Father Martin Ashcroft Founder’s Award to enable a child to come to St George’s on a transformational bursary (110% funding). There is also the option to direct your support where the school needs it most through the unrestricted fund.
6. What is Enthuse?
Enthuse.com is a online fundraising tool specifically designed for charities. St George’s Weybridge have partnered with Enthuse.com to provide all of our online giving platforms.
7. What are my options if I don't want to give online?
You can contact us at development@stgeorgesweybridge.com or call 01932 839352 we’ll be delighted to help you make your gift.
8. Can Gift Aid be claimed on my donation?
Yes! If you are a UK tax-payer, please remember to include a Gift Aid declaration as this will increase the value of your donation by 25% (25p for every £1 or £250 for every £1,000) as we can reclaim this amount from HMRC.
For US donors – St George’s Weybridge is an approved institution of the British Schools & Universities Foundation, Inc in the USA. Please contact a member of the Development Team for further information. https://www.bsuf.org/
If you are in a position to help, at any level, we would be grateful to receive your donation. Thank you.