NEWSLETTER 2014

15 YEARS INSPIRING YOUNG MINDS

2014 IS A SPECIAL YEAR FOR TSF...

IT’S OUR 15TH ANNIVERSARY! TSF is a volunteer-run, needs-driven charity that provides cost-effective educational support for local children. We target our funds, volunteers and resources to where they will make a real difference.

TSF is now working with 35 community partners and has supported thousands of children every year through more than 60 projects across the neighbourhoods of Kensington, Fulham, Battersea and Clapham. TSF programmes focus on the whole child - heart, body and mind - to ensure that he or she has opportunities to succeed in school and beyond.

For fifteen years the Thomas’s Schools Foundation has helped thousands of London school children build life skills both in and out of the classroom. The following highlights will give you a flavour of just some of the inspiring projects we support.

CARNIVAL ARTSLast summer TSF was once again involved in the Carnival Arts programme at the Clement James Centre in Kensington. Over three weeks, pupils learnt about the history and origins of the Notting Hill Carnival, designed and made their own colourful costumes and devised their own resonant songs and dances to perform on the gloriously sunny Notting Hill Carnival Sunday.

The 60 sponsored children became deeply engaged in new skills such as design, sewing, hula hooping and circus skills. Their confidence blossomed as they met new friends, presented their ideas and performed their own routines in front of thousands of carnival goers.

DOORSTEP LIBRARY NETWORKWith TSF support, the Doorstep Library in Fulham trains volunteers to visit families in their homes on a weekly basis to read stories and lend books. Frequently these families do not own many books and English is a second language.

TSF’s support of the Doorstep Library Network helps to bring literacy and reading for enjoyment into the homes of our neediest neighbours.

IN HARMONY2013 was TSF’s debut year working in partnership with In Harmony Lambeth.With the Southbank Centre, In Harmony runs a weekly after school singing club for 40 TSF sponsored pupils in Lambeth working towards concert standard performances. Their debut, at the Winter Concert at the Royal Festival Hall attracted an audience of hundreds.

Performing together in rehearsals and working towards concerts provides new challenges and has an important impact on the children’s self-confidence. Participating in a choir creates a nurturing learning environment where children can take risks, without fear of judgement. Significantly, teachers at participating schools in Lambeth have also observed a positive impact on attention and attainment.

“I have led the In Harmony Lambeth Choir since September 2013 and am thrilled at how far they’ve already come in such a short space of time. Every week we address simple vocal techniques, songs, rehearsal discipline and performance etiquette.”

“It is a big ask for young people to concentrate for so long on something that in most cases is completely new to them. It has been incredibly rewarding to see them begin to gel as a choir and enjoy working towards a common goal.”

Rebecca Baxter, Vocal Specialist, Leader of the Choir

“I had no idea that our relationship with Thomas’s Schools Foundation would have such an impact on our school and our thinking. At first it felt like we’d be doing one or two programmes together...it’s morphed and grown well beyond what I imagined it would be and it has enabled us to think very differently about the education we’re providing.”

Jagdeep Birdi, Head Teacher at Colville Primary School,

Kensington.

Encourage children to discover their passions

SWIMMING AT CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOLIn Battersea, 60 children in Years 1 and 2 at Christ Church Primary School receive weekly swimming lessons from qualified teachers at the Latchmere Pool. Many of the children have never been in a swimming pool before and the opportunity provides them with

COOKING CLUB AT GLENBROOK PRIMARYDemand is high for the after-school Cooking Club at Glenbrook Primary in Clapham. TSF funds three sessions for 36 eager would-be chefs each week. These fun and hands-on classes aim to teach children about healthy eating including raising awareness about hidden quantities of sugar, fat and salt in processed food. This term pupils have prepared a varied menu including homemade scones with strawberries and cream and roasted mediterranean vegetables. Glenbrook is thrilled with the impact of the programme. In addition to the knowledge gained, pupils’ self-confidence and social skills have also grown.

TSF BURSARIESTSF funds means-tested bursaries for children offered a place at a Thomas’s London Day School, with the majority of pupils joining in Year 7

ALL STARTENNISTSF works with the All Star Youth Scholarship Tennis Trust (ASYTT) which runs sessions in schools to talent spot children with promise but without the financial resources to play tennis. These children are then provided with weekly coaching.

On Sunday 11th May, All Stars ran a Community Day to raise awareness of the trust. Pictured here are Davis Cup players Andrew Richardson and Danny Sapsford with Ben Jackson of All Star tennis and children who took part on the day.

LATINOUTREACHTSF launched an exciting new programme in 2013, providing Latin to state primary school children in Kensington - the TSF Latin Outreach programme. This initiative encourages a broad understanding of Latin, both the history and the language, brought alive through drama and music.

MATHS MAESTRO PROGRAMMEA year ago TSF was approached by partner school, St Thomas’ in North Kensington, requesting help to develop a maths programme for highly talented Year 5 mathematicians.

TSF proposed a partnership with Keystone Tutors to

In addition, it provides an opportunity for 45 Thomas’s London Day Schools’ pupils to learn side-by-side with three TSF partner schools.

Workshops are run by enthusiastic Oxford postgraduate students culminating in a graduation ceremony at Oxford University. This initiative has incorporated Latin into the curriculum of two state primary schools targeting their Gifted & Talented pupils.

create the Maths Maestro Programme. Since February, 16 Year 5 pupils from five TSF partner schools (Colville, Ark Brunel, St Thomas’, Bevington and Barlby) have relished these stimulating weekly sessions. Activities include learning about speed, distance and time with paper aeroplanes and parachuting eggs and calculating co-ordinates by playing battleships.

“Wow, the children can’t stop talking about yesterday at Latin. They were absolutely thrilled with the lesson.”

From Keryn Standring, Acting Head at St. Mary’s RC Primary School

“These classes are giving me such a different learning experience in Maths. The tutors are great!”

Quote from a Maths Maestro

an invaluable life skill building their confidence around water.Their teachers are delighted with the programme as the children not only learn how to swim but the importance of self-discipline, organisation and punctuality. The programme has been so successful that one pupil has just been awarded their 500 metre badge!

progressing from primary school to a variety of excellent senior schools after Year 8. Through this pioneering programme in partnership with TLDS, over 30 children have

received bursary assistance in the last 15 years.

Short-term assistance is also available to current Thomas’s London Day Schools’ families.

As an independent charity, the TSF Bursary Committee works in the strictest confidence to assess and support applicants.

Inspire young minds to love learning

Provide life skills for fitness and health

MUSICALSHOWCASE2014 has been a musical extravaganza for TSF!

Learning to play, perform and enjoy music is a valuable and life-long gift of which many of the children we work with have limited experience.

TSF developed its own music scholarship programme in 2012 specifically for demonstrably talented and committed budding musicians. This is just a flavour of some of the initiatives TSF has been involved in over the last year.

TSF Music Scholarships provide four years of guaranteed funding typically to musically talented Year 5-8 pupils, to cover the cost of instruments, weekly musical tuition, ensemble and performance opportunities. TSF offers a precious opportunity to pupils, who would otherwise not have access to lessons, to develop their musical potential.

Starting in Wandsworth last year with Wandsworth Schools’ Music Service, TSF has extended the scholarship programme to Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham in partnership with the Tri-Borough Music Hub. With a successful series of auditions, TSF has enrolled a total of ten TSF music scholars across these boroughs. We plan to support another eight in the 2014/2015 academic year.

TSF is particularly delighted that one new scholar hails from another TSF music programme, the Colville Trumpet Club. TSF provides funding once a week for two hours, resulting in Colville becoming the Brass Hub within the Tri-Borough, giving the students a sense of accomplishment through public performances.

In March, St Mary’s RC Primary School Choir was invited to sing with the Southbank Sinfonia alongside the Thomas’s Kensington Chapel Choir. The combination of a professional orchestra and the children’s magical voices resulted in a tremendous musical performance for the “full house” at Christ Church. An evening for everyone to remember.

TSF provided funds for the new Tri-borough Rock and Pop Centre at Langford Primary.

“My family and I have celebrated all weekend after hearing that I have been awarded the Music Scholarship!”

Quote from a TSF Music Scholar

“Music is the universal language of mankind.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The centre offers tuition for local pupils interested in playing Rock and Pop music, particularly drums, guitar and keyboards, via weekly small group tuition and rock band ensemble sessions.

TSF also funds a small music-related project at New King’s Primary in Fulham. New King’s has been making huge strides in improving literacy and maths and now feels able to offer a broader curriculum to their pupils. The funding supplied by TSF enables the school to work

with the Tri-borough Music Hub to offer whole class recorder and ukulele lessons with Years 3 and 4. A total of 46 pupils will be benefitting from this opportunity.

New King’s is using the sessions to raise the profile of music within the school and is keen to encourage pupils to join Hub-organised after school clubs and ensembles. Participation will enable pupils to learn a new skill, raise academic achievement, increase self confidence and have some fun!

These are just a few of the music projects we support. Our passion for music is extensive and the projects we support varied. In addition to those highlighted, we support Glee Clubs, a Community Choir and instrumental lessons from the clarinet to djembe drumming. We fund ensembles that draw young people from multiple local primaries, enabling young musicians the opportunity to play together.

WORKING WITH THOMAS’S LONDON DAY SCHOOLS

TSF READERS’ CUP CHALLENGEIn January this year the second annual Readers’ Cup was staged at Thomas’s Battersea, and in June Thomas’s Kensington hosted their third Readers’ Cup Challenge. Teams from several local primary schools take part in these spirited and good-natured competitions, with questions based on selected texts as well as a general knowledge round. Given the enthusiasm and enjoyment shown by all in the room on both occasions, they are certainly inspiring a love of reading in the children taking part. TSF would like to thank both Thomas’s London Day Schools and their staff for making these events so successful.

Over the 2013-2014 academic year, TSF had a wonderful experience at Thomas’s Kensington as the school’s Charity of the Year. The year was a testament to the “Be Kind” ethos of the school resulting in a wide range of outreach programmes with TSF’s partner schools, including joint concerts, Latin workshops and sports exchanges. One Saturday morning saw over 400

Thomas’s Schools Foundation has historically relied on annual donations from our generoussupporters, but we now need to ensure that established programmes are sustained, expanded and scaled to maximise impact. With the creation of the Unicorn Fund, TSF can make multi-year commitments to our valued partners in the community, and more importantly, to the children they benefit.

In its first year, The Unicorn Fund raised over £100,000 with three-year commitments -our goal is to raise at least this amount on an annual basis. Given the ever increasing need and continued projected growth of the Foundation, this approach to secure advance funding is vital to enable TSF to make strategic commitments and plan for the future. To discuss a donation, please contact development@tsfoundation.org.uk

TSF Annual Expenditure 2012/13

volunteers give a “Helping Hand” in the local community - from painting and gardening to singing.

Our sincere thanks to all of the Kensington parents, staff and pupils who participated in a full range of activities and drives which greatly contributed to expanding educational opportunities to children who live in our neighbourhood.Several of the other TLDS

schools undertake annual Make a Difference Days where children from Thomas’s go into the community to work on specific projects - these events are a highlight in the schools’ calendars.

TSF looks forward to working with the Thomas’s Clapham community from September and plans are already well under way for some exciting activities.

Of every pound raised for our charity, 92 pence directly benefits TSF sponsored children.

WHAT’S ON?

HEIDI’S FUNDThis memorial fund was initiated by former Thomas’s London Day Schools’ parent, Margaret Conklin who worked with TSF to create a lasting memorial to the life of Heidi Hoeller, a beloved Thomas’s mother and friend. The fund’s annual target of £15,000 invests in TSF projects in keeping with Heidi’s interest in helping local children with the fewest resources to a broad education. This fund also provides TSF funded children with ad hoc educational support such as musical instruments, special needs resources and books they cannot afford.

This past year the fund has supported several programmes such as Women of Wandsworth (WoW) Drama Club. This weekly after school drama club is run by mothers producing plays which help children improve their memory skills

ON YOURBARK!11TH OCTOBER 2014Bring your family, friends and canine companions along to the fun-filled TSF Sponsored Dog Walk in Battersea Park on Saturday 11th October.

There will be raffles, a dog show and other exciting competitions with fabulous prizes including awards for the dogs and owners who raise the most sponsorship. Food and pet themed stalls and liveentertainment all promise to make it a fun packed day for the whole family.

To participate in the dog walk please register in advance and

RUNNING FORTSF13TH JULY 201418TH OCTOBER 2014TSF volunteer Therese Moorhouse, who runs the Music Scholarship programme featured on page 4, is doing the British 10K London Run on 13th July 2014 and hopes to raise at least £1,000 to support the scheme to which she has already given so generously of her time and effort.

In a burst of outstanding commitment, TSF volunteer Emma Mace’s husband Nick has bravely taken on an endurance challenge on behalf of TSF. Nick is taking part in the “Centurion Running Winter 100” - a 100 mile continuous trail race. The course reflects

MAKING PLACES ARTEXHIBITION4TH - 15TH JUNEFollowing the success of last year’s well attended event, TSF presented a spectacular exhibition of local school children’s art work at the Pump House Gallery in Battersea Park. The theme of this year’s show investigated how we have transformed raw materials into places to live. Four Battersea primary schools worked with local artists to help them develop their work. A big thank you to Thomas’s Battersea Head, Ben Thomas who served as Master of Ceremonies and handed out the awards and to the Deputy Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Kim Caddy who opened the exhibition. The event was a huge success and we are already planning a repeat for 2015!

and has a positive impact on the children’s schoolwork and on their emotional and behavioural conduct. Heidi’s Fund also funded Everyday Magic - an outreach programme in multiple schools in Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham enabling children, many of whom have English as a second language, to develop their language skills and strengthen their vocabulary through singing, poetry and music.

On 28th April the second annual Heidi’s Fund Luncheon was attended by over 50 guests, who learned about the TSF outreach this fund will support this coming year. This includes the Doorstep Library Network, TSF partner school participation in the Mousetrap Theatre Project, and the TSF Music Scholarship Programme.

To learn more about Heidi’s Fund, or to make a donation, please visit the TSF website or justgiving.com/HeidisFund

pledge to raise money for the TSF through your individual sponsorship.

Registration opens in July 2014 with limited availability for canine participants. Please email events@tsfoundation.org.uk for more information or to volunteer on the day. You’d be barking mad to miss it!

the shape of a cross and takes runners on a series of four different 25 mile out and back spurs along and around the River Thames.

Nick is undergoing a gruelling training regime six days a week. He hopes to complete the race, which takes place on 18th October, in 26 hours. To sponsor Therese or Nick please go to their Just Giving pages:justgiving.com/therese-moorhousejustgiving.com/macenicholas

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET INVOLVED IN TSF? www.tsfoundation.org.uk

TSF now co-ordinates more than 50 volunteer mentors across our four boroughs. Giving children from Reception to Year 6 one-to-one reading contact improves literacy, confidence and self-esteem. Their families, the community and even the volunteers are all touched by the children’s increased engagement with books and learning.We’re always looking for reading mentors so please get involved by contacting

COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPENDINGTSF is committed to providing educational activities that will positively impact the lives and learning of local London children.

TSF has funded a huge variety of projects benefitting well over 10,000 pupils over our 15 year history.

The programmes TSF supported in 2013/14 were those our community partners told us were most critical.

Because TSF is a volunteer-run charity, of every pound donated, 92p directly benefits local school children.

YOUR COMMUNITYNEEDS YOU!One of the ways TSF supports our local community is by collecting and donating much needed supplies. In the past year we have provided books, clothes, sports equipment, musical instruments, dressing-up costumes and more. These drives are always generously supported by thoughtful Thomas’s parents and children, as well as the Thomas’s schools, whose participation makes a huge difference.

TSF - JUST AROUND THE CORNERWith increasing local needs, TSF projects have significantly expanded in all our our local boroughs and beyond. This is an overview of all the programmes we support across our communities.

We are busier than ever so if you would like to help in any way please contact us or visit the ‘Support Us’ section of our website and click on ‘Get involved’.

If you are a Thomas’s London Day School parent you may already be involved in TSF through your child’s class. If you’ve baked a cake or donated books and CDs, dressing-up clothes, or unused musical instruments you have contributed.

• You could also become a reading mentor

• Or volunteer for a few hours during a community day

• Or lend your expertise for a TSF initiative

• Or join one of our committees

• Or directly donate to TSF

We even receive donations from Thomas’s school children who decide to give their birthday money to TSF!

We need help across the board from reading in schools to managing some of our exciting community partnerships.

Simply head to our website to check out how your

communities@tsfoundation.org.uk

involvement can make a difference. If you are considering a donation, please remember - many corporations now run generous Matched Giving programmes, and Gift Aid, which significantly increases the financial impact of your gift by 25% !

BECOME A TSFREADING MENTOR

Thomas’s Schools Foundation, PO Box 46805, London, SW11 3WJT: 020 7978 0611 | E: enquiries@tsfoundation.org | Registered Charity No. 1068954

CHEERS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!We are extremely grateful to all TSF’s volunteers without whom we could not support the projects TSF currently offers. Hundreds of supporters work tirelessly to make the Foundation the powerful force it has become in our communities.

A FINAL WORD“I am very impressed with the effectiveness of TSF. The depth of TSF’s engagement with local primary schools and the creativity of their programmes have resulted in a real benefit to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its primary aged school children in the State sector. I am pleased to be working with TSF and welcome such integration in the educational sphere.” Cllr Emma Wills, Cabinet Member for education and libraries (in RBKC).

Keep in touch - You can find out more about everything the Foundation is doing/TSFound@ThSFoundationtsfoundation.org.uk