If you have been following us on Instagram you may have noticed our campaign celebrating members of the NLCS community who have completed their ‘175 minutes’ giving back. Our Founder’s Day Prayer is The Prayer of Thanksgiving.
On Friday evening last week amidst rain, wind and biting cold, a small group of intrepid NLCS Sixth Form students and colleagues, led by Mrs Dawson, spent the night on the streets of London. They were raising money for a homelessness charity, Restart Lives, who came to speak to pupils earlier this term as part of the Senior Societies programme. It was a hard night but at least our group were all together, knew they had comfortable homes to go back to, and that they were protected from crime through the street being closed off. As we rush about our Christmas shopping, it is so easy to walk past the people whose lives have been blighted by lack of opportunity, by addiction, by unemployment, poverty and mental health challenges, or perhaps by abuse.
I am proud that we played a very small part in supporting a charity that does such critically important work to combat one of the great shames of British Society in 2025. If you would like to contribute to the team’s efforts, please do use this link. They have raised over £2000 but would absolutely love your help.
Students share their volunteering as they take part in our #175Minutes campaign
Giving Back is fundamental to an education at NLCS. Our pupils are lucky to enjoy an inspiring education in idyllic grounds in our beautiful suburban setting. You could be forgiven for thinking that they could be a little sheltered from the world here at Canons as they roll down the banks above the Herbaceous Border, play slug races on the Lacrosse pitch (I have witnessed this), stroll down Lime Avenue, or play in Budge Square. But our pupils are deeply engaged with the world and they want to make a difference. Across our Duke of Edinburgh’s Scheme, our pupils contribute the equivalent of 21,450 hours of time per year. I have long admired the Duke of Edinburgh’s Scheme because it encourages this weekly commitment from students. The commitment might be small but it’s about building a habit of giving back to the wider community.
Our students are also involved in weekly volunteering programmes at Aylward Primary School and in local care homes. A standout feature of my December calendar is the Year 12 pantomime to local care home residents. Canonaid, our Charities Board, has a long tradition of successful fundraising at NLCS. This year they are raising money for Project Waterfall whilst also supporting other charities with ad hoc events.
As well as opportunities to raise money for charities and support some of our volunteering programme, our pupils are given plenty of opportunities to give back within the school itself. The peer mentoring scheme, the Maths Super Mentoring programme, the Junior School Clubs helpers, School Council, being a Form Representative, giving tours on Open Mornings, all these actions, big or small, create that sense of being part of something larger than yourself, and a sense of duty.
Duty is not a fashionable word in 2024 but it is one that I am increasingly enthusiastic about as I grow older and grumpier. But it would be sad to end this blog on a grumpy note as Christmas beckons. I wish you and your families rest, joy, laughter and hope. Thank you for all your support of the NLCS community.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2025.
