Development - Annual Fund
The Annual Fund was launched to parents in November 2006
“There is no better investment than in education
and in our students’ learning environment.
We are delighted by the success
of our Annual Fund and we are hopeful
that parents, former
students and friends of the school will continue to be supportive
so that we can broaden the education and development
of all our pupils.”
Marc Morris, Headmaster
Our Annual Fund will continue for 2009/10 to fund similar,
essential projects which directly benefit our students’ learning
environment. click
here for brochure»
Priorities for 2009-10
 A
21st Century School
One of the attractions of BRGS is the distinctive, traditional
building dating back to 1913, which still houses the main part of
the School. It is steeped in tradition and holds many fond memories
for both our alumni
and those currently studying here. But a magnificent building such
at this requires a continual programme of care to ensure that it
meets the developing needs of a modern school and its students.
We have an ongoing programme of works to improve the buildings,
including roof and window replacements, providing better access for
those with disabilities, enhancing security and also addressing important
health and safety requirements. We are also paying particular attention
the grounds surrounding the School, including refurbishing the all
weather pitch. In line with our Eco-Schools status, recreational
seating areas have been established for our students to enjoy and,
with the support of all the enthusiastic students in our active Eco-
Schools Group, we look forward to improving these areas further still.
This year we would like to consider investing in:
•
Sports facilities including: high jump equipment and mats; overhead
safety rigging for use with the new trampolines; financial assistance
regarding the rising cost of transport to matches and tours.
•
Art resources such as: digital portable cameras for use by students
in various departments, including Art;
and mini-skeletons for use by the Science and Art Departments.
•
Continued support of the Music Tuition for All scheme, assisting
in funding the provision of an instrument
and tuition for all students in their first three years at BRGS.
•
Further enhancement of our Learning Resource Centre facilities.
•
Support of the Year 10 Lionheart Challenge Enterprise Day, a national
competition to encourage business acumen in our young students.
•
Continued renewal and investment in our IT infrastructure and equipment.
•
Investment in crosscurricular opportunities which help to reinforce
learning and provide memorable experiences for students such as
the Year 8 China Week and our Holocaust Memorial Week.
Your support of these curriculum opportunities will help us to enrich
school life.
Extending
teaching & learning
Looking forward, we have a continual programme for replacing existing
resources, sourcing new and original equipment and enhancing many of
our facilities. The school budget cannot always stretch to some of
the ‘added
extras’ which departments would like to provide for students
and this is where the Annual Fund is invaluable.
A long-held aim is to build on the facilities offered by our traditional library
and
to open a learning resource centre, providing appropriate services for studying
in the 21st century.
We are delighted that our plans for a new Performing Arts Centre have received
outline
planning permission. This cutting edge building will house purpose-built facilities
which are appropriate to studying in the 21st century. The fantastic new theatre
with stage and lighting facilities will clearly demonstrate the school’s
ongoing commitment to the performing arts. It will enable our Drama Department
to continue with their excellent work, with our talented students bringing memorable
productions, such as Les Misérables and The Wizard
of Oz, to life.
The school operates with a 28% shortfall in teaching space. Lancashire
County Council is supporting us in addressing this shortage and subject
to planning permission, we aim to replace all our temporary classrooms
with a new building next to the Sports Hall which will house six classrooms.
We also aim to improve access and parking by transforming tennis courts
at the front of the school into a car park. The tennis courts will
be replaced with a second astroturf
to be located on our top field.
After these new building developments
we hope to be able to remodel existing teaching areas within the school
such as our science laboratories and our music classrooms.
Reflecting
on our recent developments and achievements
We are delighted with the success of our redesigned and purposebuilt
Sixth Form Centre. It is a vibrant venue in which students can gather
formally and informally to learn, develop and share. The Centre houses
a dedicated catering facility for students to enjoy healthy meals on
a pay-as-you-dine system, a quiet zone with desk facilities for study
and also sofas and pool tables for those who wish to relax.
Our state-of-the-art Sports Hall houses a gym with cricket nets and
electronic score boards, all supported by modern changing facilities.
In the reception area of the Sports Hall is a new cabinet where we
proudly display the numerous trophies won by a cross section of our
sporting teams. Here at BRGS we focus very much on offering an enriched
learning environment and the following list provides a flavour of the
type of
areas we have invested in during 2008-9:
• IT infrastructure including: additional interactive whiteboards; television
screens to display up-to-date school information; replacement keyboards for our
extensive IT facilities and Wacom tablets for the Art Department which allow
students
to work with a pen linked to the computer rather than a mouse.
• Trampolines for the Physical Education Department.
• Performance groups working with our English students
We have updated
the school canteen to ensure that working conditions for the catering
team are
improved so that they can continue to provide healthy and nutritious
food for our students.
We have introduced a cashless payment system which cost approximately £25,000 but which will help parents and students
to manage their food budget, plus children entitled to free school
meals will have the same cards as everyone else. The system even has
the capacity to allow parents to see what their children have been
buying and eating!
Thank
you to everyone who has supported our Annual Fund.
Through your support of BRGS and the Annual Fund we have been able
to improve our facilities and resources for students.
In 2006-7 we launched our first ever Annual Fund. Since then we have
received over £60,000, an encouraging start which has enabled
us to complete a number of much-needed projects.
During this time we have funded:
A
top of the range Yamaha grand piano, piano cover and protection screens,
which take pride of place in the school hall. The piano is
played regularly during school assemblies and at musical events. Your
gifts have also enabled us to buy an upright piano which is used in
music lessons.
ICT
facilities which have included: special plasma screens for multi-media
presentations; information
monitors to communicate notices to students during the school day;
and computer keyboards.
Display
cabinets in the sports hall to house school sports’ trophies
and celebrate achievement in sport.
An
electronic basketball scorer and have made a contribution to the healthy
school day.
One
supporter has kindly brought a flavour of the Caribbean to Rossendale
through funding a selection
of steel drums. These are a fantastic gift as students with no prior
musical knowledge can play tunes
straightaway; they are accessible to all year groups; and they will
facilitate learning about ‘world music’, an
essential part of the lower school curriculum
If you would like to support our Annual Fund, please do download
the
brochure which
contains a donation form and additional information.
Thank you for your support.
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