Charities
Belmont pupils are encouraged not only to donate money to a host of different charitable causes; they are also encouraged to give their time and effort to help others.
We ensure all pupils are aware of the local community and the wider world. Children discuss which charities to support and how they will raise money; they are involved in the planning of school events to raise money for the charitable causes they have chosen.
Pupils and parents have been wonderfully successful in raising substantial amounts for the various good causes. Oti Day is an important date in our calendar and is held in memory of a former pupil, Sylvester Oti, who was a pupil at Belmont some years ago. Children wear mufti and the proceeds go to the Sickle Cell Fund. Year 8, as part of their PSHE and Citizenship programme, take charge of the day and usually manage to raise over £2,000 from various activities. Donations also go towards their selected class charities.
As a reflection of our concern for charities abroad, we have raised money for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal and Latin Link. In October we supported Jeans for Genes Day and had a mural competition. At Harvest we supported Homeless Action in Barnet which runs a drop-in centre for the homeless, providing food, toiletries and clothes. At Christmas our Carol Services raised money for the St Paul's Restoration Fund and Mill Hill and Burnt Oak Good Neighbours Scheme.
Another recent charity project has been the very successful sponsored swim which entailed raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. In an average year donations in excess of £10,000 are made to charity. So much goodwill, effort and time reflect the care and concern Belmont pupils have for those who are less fortunate than themselves and whose lives are affected by disaster, sickness, disability and poverty.
