Felpham Community College ended an incredibly busy term by hosting a non-school uniform day on the last day of term, to raise money for Stonepillow, a local homeless charity.

Students and staff were invited to wear what they wanted for the day, for a £1 donation, with sixth form students getting involved and wearing their PJs to school. Staff and Sixth Form students also got festive on the 8^th December, taking part in the national Save The Children Christmas Jumper Day.

Georgia Robson, Student Leadership in charge of charity commented: “It has been a busy autumn term for charity at FCC,  we have raised funds and donations for My Sisters’ House, The Royal British Legion, UK Harvest, Stonepillow and Save the Children. We have also raised money to improve outdoor recreational facilities for students at school, and at the annual FCC Christmas Carol Concert held at St Mary’s in Felpham village, there were collections for The Snowdrop Trust, Stonepillow and St Mary’s Church. Everyone is feeling the pinch this year so it is great that as a community we can still fundraise and help others less fortunate than ourselves.”

On the afternoon of Wednesday 7^th December, Felpham Community College celebrated one of their main fundraising achievements of 2022, by holding their cheque presentation ceremony for the  annual FCC youth action week.

Youth Action Week was held at the end of the summer term, with the final event taking place in October. Activities included a 10-mile sponsored dog walk, a sponsored swim, various sporting events such as football, basketball and rounders tournaments, a year 7 summer fayre, gaming workshops, a week-long tuck shop, a colour run, and the always popular sponge a teacher. Students across year groups were invited to take part in the activities and the programme was co-ordinated by the Sixth Form Charity Committee and the Student Leadership Team.

Students and staff voted for what charities to support with Youth Action Week 2022, with Macmillan Cancer Support, Blue Cross for Pets and Chestnut Tree House being chosen, along with improving outdoor facilities for students at FCC. These charities were invited to attend the event on the 7^th December, to receive their cheques and to explain what the money will go towards. Students across year groups who have put in particular efforts with their charity work were invited to attend, as a celebration of success for what they have helped achieve.

Ms Kelly, Deputy Headteacher commented: “It was great to give our students some recognition of the hard work they have put in with helping us raise this money. This week of activities alone raised well over £4500 which was incredible. Thank you to the students who attended, and also to all the students at FCC and their families who support us with the charity fundraising we do throughout the academic year.”

Ryan Howarth, from Macmillan Cancer Support commented: “It has been lovely to attend and meet with the students and to hear about the various activities they have taken part in. The money they have raised is brilliant and thank you for choosing us as one of the charities to support.”

Over 30 students, mainly from key stage 3 with 4 from older year groups, have worked incredibly hard this term in their extra-curricular drama club at Felpham Community College.

Held each week since the Autumn, the group have learnt the West End junior adaptation of ‘Matilda the Musical’. As well as being the cast, they are also in charge of the lights and music for the production and have developed both their creative and technical skills considerably since they started learning the musical back in September.

They showcased their performance to year 5 students from Downview Primary School on the 7th December, and then to a sold out (paying!) audience on the evenings on the 7th and 8th December.

Miss Coney, Curriculum Leader for drama, commented: “Well done to all the students who took part – their enthusiasm, hard work and dedication has been a credit to everyone who has been involved. It has been hard work and a lot of work! However it has all been worth it to see how the students have thrived over the term. Thank you to everyone who has supported them and come and watched the show.”

Mason, year 7 student, commented: “I didn’t really do drama at primary school but I joined the drama club at FCC as it looked exciting and it has been great fun. I have made new friends, some in other year groups as well, and although it has been hard work learning it all we have had fun doing it. I was really nervous when we did the first performance but now it is just exciting. The drama theatre at FCC makes you feel like you are in a proper theatre in London, it is awesome!”