Before half term the student and staff community voted on our choice of academy charity for the year. For the first time, and with at least three recounts to ensure accuracy, the votes for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Make a Wish Foundation were tied. As a result, we are supporting both charities this year.
Each House takes the lead with fundraising for half a term, and the first House out of the envelope to start this off was Marconi. They have set about their task with customary enthusiasm and success. Bake sales have already taken place, and I have a ticket for the raffle to win a particularly fine looking chocolate cake. There is a 'hoops and boots' penalty shootout involving basketball and football that will run for the rest of term, a staff lottery, and buskers in the marketplace as well. The academy commitment to charity is an important one. Last year we raised nearly £5,000 for Cancer Research UK, and are determined to top this for this year's nominated groups.
This week it was the turn of our cross-country runners to shine in the Watford Schools competition, with over 150 competing in each age group. There were top ten finishers in Years 7, 9 and 10; congratulations to them all for their endurance. Next week sees the House Table Tennis competition for years 7 and 8, and as recent national champions in the U13 category, this will be hotly contested.
I was delighted to share these successes during a visit to the school from our sponsor David Meller, with Oliver Dowden, who is currently David Cameron's Deputy Chief of Staff. Mr. Dowden has recently been put forward as a parliamentary candidate for Hertsmere.
My senior team and I visit classrooms every day of the week, and for many of my colleagues the highlight of these visits is when we are able to award a voucher for 20 Vivos to a student who has been nominated by a member of staff for something particularly impressive they have done. Many of these are for dedication with class work, going above and beyond expectations with homework, or for helpful involvement in a school activity. What is particularly pleasing about this is the spontaneous applause the rest of the class provide for the recipient of the award. Such positive every day events continue to make me Proud to Belong.