St Mary’s Lower School girls empowered to make a difference

Community minded pupils at St Mary’s Lower School rounded off their school years’ fundraising for Malala Fund and East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), by holding a Rainbow Day and the chance to win a St Mary’s House Hamper.

Pupils from as young as 2 in St Mary’s Kindergarten through to girls aged 11 in Year 6 were invited to come to school representing a colour for their class in exchange for a donation to help make a difference to their chosen charities for the year. Over £500 was raised from the non-uniform day as well as a raffle to win a St Mary’s House themed hamper. The hampers were colour co-ordinated, tying in with St Mary’s School Houses which represent the Roman gates of Colchester. These were green for Abbeygate, blue for Balkernegate, yellow for Headgate and red for Scheregate.

Mrs Emma Stanhope, Head of St Mary’s Lower School said, “Being compassionate is one of our values at St Mary’s and we encourage the girls to be community minded and globally aware. We also inspire the girls to be ambitious and dynamic, to productively challenge and drive positive change. Our Lower School Charity Committee does a fantastic job of leading the school’s fundraising efforts for their chosen UK and overseas charities and this latest event was another great success.”

Monies raised for The Malala Fund will support their work of fighting for a world where every girl can learn and lead. EACH support families and care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. Donations from St Mary’s families will help make a positive change within both organisations.