Caritas
Love your neighbour as you love yourself – The Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – Compassion
An important part of life at St Swithun’s is learning to relate to, regard and treat other people as equals, whoever they are and whatever their circumstances. It is our desire to inspire and encourage all girls to acts and attitudes of compassion.
We very much value out links with the local community. We have established placements at local junior schools, nursing homes and projects connected to Winchester Mencap where girls have the opportunity to volunteer on a weekly basis.
We have ongoing relationships with local charities supporting the homeless and those who have fallen upon hard times as well as with the children’s and young people’s hospice Naomi House and Jack’s Place.
The significance of our partnership with St Katherine’s School in Uganda is demonstrated not only through fundraising for scholarships, but in many letter-writing friendships and, in recent years, exchange visits of staff and students which enrich the life of both schools.
Each year the school community selects and commits to fundraising for three charities, welcoming speakers and learning about the work they do. The girls are extremely creative and ambitious in the ways they seek to raise money and the school year is peppered with community events that all enjoy taking part in.
Girls in the younger years in the school have the opportunity to participate in the Philanthropy in Schools project, The Big Give, where they learn about the joys and challenges of philanthropic activity. They draw the results of their research and information on their chosen charity together in a presentation to their peers and guests, and donate funds put forward by a supporting philanthropist partnered with the school.
In the sixth form girls have the opportunity to attend the Global Student Forum in London, where each year they learn about key issues connected to one of the Millennium Development Goals. They return to school inspired and equipped to inform others in the school and wider community through hosting a variety of events, and to make a real difference.
We are keen to learn about and engage with others whose lives may be very different to our own for all sorts of reasons. We are always on the lookout for ways that we can make a positive and lasting impact for the benefit of others.