The Development Office has had a busy year, launching
a variety of new fundraising initiatives. Some of these
saw immediate results, while others take the long view,
planning for King's future.
In the former
category was the
appeal for the
cricket boundary
fence. With the new
sports courts in
place at the bottom
of the school fields, it
seemed a good idea
to formally mark the
nearby boundary of
the 1st XI cricket pitch. An appeal was launched to extend the
white picket fence that began at the pavilion by 120m. Publicised
in the 2013 cricket brochure, this offered donors and sponsors the
chance to display either a company logo or a family plaque. The
result was a crisp white fence around the oval ready for the 2014
cricket season.
Even more dramatic was the appearance of a fully-fledged
amphitheatre, entirely due to the great generosity of an OA - who
wishes to remain anonymous. (See page 30 for the result.)
Looking slightly further ahead, the Sports Hub Appeal was
launched in May 2014. Part of the 20/20 Vision campaign to create
major new facilities at King's by the year 2020, the new sports
facility is the first stage in this development. Publicity literature
has been produced to explain all about the plans to prospective
donors, as well as a designated website: www.kings-sportsappeal.co.uk
.
The school has enjoyed the
support of a huge range of
benefactors during the year:
ongoing sponsorship by parents,
OAs, their companies and
friends, including OAs from
Australia, Hong Kong and
the Cayman Islands, to
name but a few countries.
The OAs and the OA
Club is supported
day-to-day by the Development Office, and numerous events took place throughout
the year (see p16), in addition to the production of the bi-annual
OA Newsletter, designed by Brenda Hayman and edited by Roger
Mott, OA.
Funding the Future
Established funds were able to support a dazzling range of activities
undertaken by King's pupils. The Joan Sewell Bequest Fund
supported numerous projects, such as the History, Economics,
Foreign Languages, Business Studies and Poetry recitation prizes.
It also subsidised the Scholars' trips, the Kilimanjaro expedition
and the Bob Chilcott concert - all of which you will read about in
the pages of this magazine.
The Annual Fund helped with a range of pupil projects, such
as the new digital chess set in the library and sleeping bags for
field trips.
Looking even further into the future, the Old Pelicans Legacy
Society, chaired by David Stott, OA, sent nearly 800 personalised
letters and leaflets to OAs, asking them to support the school
with a bequest. This initiative resulted in 29 bequests, which will
benefit King's for many years. Members of the Old Pelican Society
enjoyed Benefactors' Day in May 2014, with a variety of activities
and a unique insight into school life, as well as a day's racing at
Kempton Racecourse, sponsored by David Stott.
With Thanks
Sponsorship of sports kit, sports tours and school projects is always
appreciated, and our thanks are extended to the many parents
who have helped, including Paddy Magill, for his sponsorship of
the Cricket XI for the next three years, and Jon Cooper, a King's
Hall parent, who kindly sponsored the 1st XV Rugby shirts.
There are many ways the King's community supports the
school, and we are very grateful to Steve Ingham, OA, CEO of
Michael Page International, for sponsoring the annual King's
networking event in London, and also providing recruitment staff
to run the Sixth Form employability workshops. Philip Richards,
OA, regularly provides office space for meetings in London, and
continues to be a staunch supporter of the school. Many parents
and OAs provide work experience and mentoring to our pupils
and young OAs, and help to build a truly inclusive King's family.
Thank you.
Part of the new cricket fence
Brenda Hayman of the
Development Oice
The
Development
Office
By Leisa Lavender
Director of Development
Leisa Lavender
The King's Community
22