Students from the Junior School and College took part in a variety of projects, including providing classroom support to local schools, helping in community centres, planting up care home gardens, assisting in a food bank, and supporting conservation efforts in local green spaces. The wide range of projects that GO! covers reflects our commitment to nurturing responsibility and compassion in their students.

Cardinal Newman School in Hersham, Echelford School in Ashford, and other Lumen Learning Trust schools were involved in the programme. Our students nurtured a spirit of collaboration and learning with them by assisting teachers and being reading listeners and structuring games for break time with the primary school pupils.

“Thank you very much for this year which seemed to run very smoothly. The students we had at Echelford were brilliant, interacted well with the children in the classes they were allocated to and worked hard on the jobs we gave them in the afternoon.” Katy Smith, Lumen Learning Trust

And our College students helped Addlestone’s Salvation Army with their toddler groups, cleaning and weeding the gardens, helping with lunch for the local elderly community, and sorting and organising the foodbank store. Students were able to see first-hand the critical role the centre plays in the local community, and the impact volunteering has.

“It was a real pleasure to see the students enjoying playing with the children at our Parent and Toddler session. The parachute game was especially popular with the children. The students threw themselves into the singing and action songs. They worked hard to dig up some persistent weeds and helped to organise the food donated for our emergency food store.

“Our lunch group CAMEO had a real treat last Wednesday. The students had worked hard all morning, preparing tables, organising rooms and practising the after lunch entertainment. They helped to serve the meals and tidy up after the lunch. The singing, piano playing and well thought out quiz were very much enjoyed by the guests. It was lovely to see how the students took time to engage with our guests and there was a lot of laughter shared by all.

I am always so impressed by the dedication and “can- do” attitude of the students; they join in and do their utmost to complete the jobs assigned to them. We remain ever grateful for the opportunity to work with the students and to share what we are doing in and for the community in Addlestone.” Ali Scott – Addlestone Salvation Army

Whiteley Homes Trust and St Augustine’s Care Homes took part in the program too, with College students spending time with elderly residents, organising quizzes and musical entertainment, planting up gardens and adding some colour to the surroundings, and providing companionship to some of their most frail residents. The interactions brightened the residents’ days and showed students the importance of spending time with older generations.

“It was a delight to welcome the students from St George’s to Whiteley Village, where they took part in many activities with our residents in both the care home and the independent living almshouse village. The students naturally mixed and chatted, showing great warmth to everyone they came into contact with, taking the time and interest to find out about their lives. Another excellent week of intergenerational experience to the benefit of both the students and our elderly residents, something we look forward to hosting each year.” Lilian Meagher, Volunteer Coordinator, The Whiteley Homes Trust

GO! extended its reach to local farms, with students rolling up their sleeves and immersing themselves in farm activities. From weeding the allotment beds to fetching water from the stream to fill the water butts, students learned to appreciate the physical work needed to take care of the land.

Weybridge Catholic church, Christ the Prince of Peace, welcomed the College and Junior School children separately to provide musical entertainment and readings for two masses, which were live streamed to care homes in the community. The College students then enjoyed an afternoon tea with the parishioners, chatting happily together over a delicious slice of cake.

GO! was met with an abundance of warmth and positive feedback from both the students and the wider community. Students reported feeling inspired and grateful for the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. And community members expressed their admiration for St George's College and its commitment to cultivating responsible and compassionate individuals who understand the value of community engagement.

“It has been inspiring to see the positive impact we can all make on our local communities. Over 1,400 students across St George’s Junior School and College have given their time to help others since we started Georgian Outreach in 2016.

“I hope GO! has given our young people some greater appreciation of how they can embody the spirit of the Georgian family, now and in the future. And the enthusiastic staff involved are true role models guiding the students in all of the projects.”Tiffany Bicarregui, GO! Founder and Project Lead

GO! will be back again for an eighth year with more community projects in June 2024.