Charity and Community Service
Charity and community service events are part of life at Millfield. We are proud of the contribution that pupils make to a wide range of events that are organised at house, year group and the whole school level. Over £100,000 has been distributed to a range of causes since 2003. It is arguably of equal importance that our pupils have learnt firsthand about the objectives of a range of causes. This exposure for some will act as a catalyst for lifelong support of a particular cause. We welcome representatives from a range of charities each year to contribute to the PSE programme and to attend different events that are organised. Our hope is that, through their exposure to a range of activities and causes, our pupils will develop a sense of the type and scale of need that exists in modern life.
To help our pupils to
- develop an awareness of the need in the local, national and international settings
- respond to identified needs both as individuals and groups
- organise a range of events that generate funds for a designated cause and through this to develop their leadership, communication, administrative and team working competencies
- appreciate the value of service
- develop a sense of community
- play an active role in the decision making involved in the distribution of funds raised through charity events
Through these goals we aim to ensure that Millfield fulfils its social responsibility to people less advantaged.
Millfield Charity Committee
The school's Charity Committee meets regularly to discuss fundraising initiatives and requests for support. They are charged with the important responsibility of voting for the school's nominated charity for each calendar year.
Our current school charity
2012 Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, Over the Wall and Lalibela Safe Water Projects (an Ethiopian village with strong links to Millfield).
| Recent School Charities |
Funds Raised | |
| 2012 | Sports Relief | £21,452 |
| 2012 | Macmillan - World's Biggest Coffee Morning | £1,082 |
| 2011 | BIBIC (British Institute for Brain Injured Children) | £14,000 |
| 2010 | The Teenage Cancer Trust | £12,000 |
| 2009 | Childrens Hospice South West | £14,000 |
| 2008 | Somerset Community Foundation | £7,000 |
| Lalibela Health Project | £5,000 | |
| 2007 | Hope and Homes for Children | £11,000 |
| 2006 | LEAP School South Africa | £6,000 |
As well as fundraising for the nominated school charities, we also hold one off events to raise money in response to natural disasters around the world.
Examples of Fundraising Initiatives
Charity work takes the form of a number of regular and irregular events. Regular events include Millfield's 'Showcase' in the autumn term, the Sixth Form Comedy Night in the spring term and the Year 11 Leavers BBQ in the summer term. We have also run a ‘FairTrade' sale of goods and hold ‘Mufti' days each term.
Year 10 pupils’ charity is Action Aid. They sponsor four pupils in developing countries, helping to support their education and facilities in their villages and towns.
Sixth Form have been involved with Cots for Tots, the JCE Trust and to raise money for the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance.
Other events include the sale of cards, cakes and sweets; prize draws; sponsored walks and swims; and more recently the introduction of a frugal lunch. Boarding houses and year groups also carry out their own charity initiatives, such as the Somerton Fair organised by Kernick House in the autumn term. In the last year we have also raised money through entering 700 runners in the Glastonbury Road Run, jumped out of aeroplanes and held various events on Red Nose Day.
Community Service
The school holds an annual day in June when groups from Mencap in the South West spend the day at Millfield and have the opportunity to try out a wide range of games, activities and entertainment. Community Service Millfield Activities Progamme at Millfield is run on a weekly basis and involves groups of pupils visiting local residential care homes to spend time making new acquaintances and chatting to the residents. The termly tea party held at Millfield for the residents is always a highlight on their calendar. We contribute to the production of the local Talking Newspaper which involves recording sections of the Central Somerset Gazette on the day of publication. The tape is then copied and distributed to visually impaired members of the local community.
Requests for support
We are happy to consider requests for financial support from local, national and international registered charities. These should be sent in writing to the address below. All requests will be considered by the Charity Committee but due to the volume of requests that we receive it is unlikely that unsuccessful enquiries will receive an individual response.
Making Contact By Post
The Charity Coordinator, Millfield School, Butleigh Road, Street, Somerset, BA16 0YD
MAP Community Party
Presenting a cheque to BIBIC
Pupil with a visitor on Mencap Day
Will & Billy receive Millfield Community Award