Charity & Community The Cheltonian 2023-24

The Bellamy Cup was established to recognise the House which has engaged most successfully with charitable endeavours.

In December seven of our marvellous Matrons joined the Big Dip held at The Lido to raise funds for the local Leckhampton Court.

National Star was selected by the Pupil Leadership Team (PLT) as this year’s College charity. National Star is a local provider of specialist further education, training, personal development and residential services for people with physical and learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries.

It takes courage to make a change, in the hope that it will lead to a brighter tomorrow. And that is exactly what we have seen from our pupils and staff over the past year as we continue to implement sustainable education initiatives and operational improvements here at College.

A new pattern of services was introduced to Chapel this academic year. Recognising a need for pupils to spend a little more time with their families, we said goodbye to the expectation that every Sunday in term-time would see a Chapel service.

Having volunteered to give a Chapel talk on Courage, I thought I should start by making sure I understood what courage actually is. Initially I thought courage and bravery were the same thing but through a little research I was quickly corrected.

Finn Keatinge on ‘The Ethical Significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962’

Meet the Team: Paulo Oliveira, Front of House Manager. Roving reporter, Carys Bradford, interviews our very own Paulo.

Open seven days a week, the Library provides support to staff and pupils across all years, supporting reading, research, revision and relaxation and is always buzzing with pupils.

Archives - Sometimes we don’t notice the things we see every day. This is certainly true of the College coat of arms.

College remains a driving force behind the work of the Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP). CEP continues to grow and this year we welcomed Pate’s Grammar School and High School Leckhampton into the partnership.

This year is the first for a while where ALL pupils have been able to attend placements face-to-face! Although a slightly smaller cohort this year, placements have run smoothly, and everyone has really engaged with their new roles.

Along with the day-to-day care and support of all our pupils aged from 2 years 9 months to 18+, the Health Centre Team continues to champion the Restart A Heart Campaign which teaches pupils and staff lifesaving skills and the confidence how to use them.

At the start of the academic year the international induction felt busier than ever, with a super group of 35 new pupils joining us from overseas in Years 9, 10 and 11 and managed deftly by a team of 12 Upper College student supporters.

The A-R Team is now 60 strong! In the Autumn Term members gave year group assemblies training the whole school on how to be an Active Bystander; how to help someone who suffers abuse or micro-aggression from their peers.

An inspiring and committed group of pupils and staff has met routinely this year to celebrate, reflect on, and discuss a range of LGBTQ+ matters. Particular highlights have included the passionate championing of inspirational queer figures during the themed meeting ‘Who inspires you?'

It was wonderful to have the opportunity of visiting Shamrock School again this Easter. However, the sad decision has been made to close the school at the end of this academic year.

During October 16 Lower Sixth students visited Kenya for an educational and sports development trip. The students volunteered at Gogar Primary School near Rongai in Kenya.

Meet the Team - Carys Bradford talks to two of our brilliant College drivers Mike Steed and Steve Dempsey about their fascinating careers.

Cheltenham Muscat, Oman continues to thrive. With over 750 pupils now, and growing, the school has become a leader in the region.