Page 15 - Southwell School_The Chronicle December 2022

RICHARD VAN DEN ENGEL
ISOUTHWELL SCHOOL FOUNDATION
t sounds like it must be a pipe and slippers type affair students alike. We thank John right? Every year when I sit down to draft this report I Oliver and the Oliver family again feel the need to shine a light on what the Foundation for their incredibly generous
actually is, and what it’s purpose is.
In short, the Foundation is there to protect the special character of the school for future generations. It is a charitable trust, and any donations to the school are facilitated through the Foundation. The Foundation has one beneficiary, and one beneficiary only – Southwell School.
Obviously being a private school we all pay (or paid)
our school fees and they of course cover the operational costs of the school. But much of what makes Southwell special has been facilitated by donations. The grounds themselves were donated by the Sergel family back
in 1963, and that generous spirit has been a part of the Southwell community ever since making possible so
many of the facilities our kids enjoy today. This year the Foundation was pleased to facilitate the design, creation and installation of the Chapel Window. Today’s Southwell community (you) donated over $100,000 to make this possible. Thank you. If you haven’t had the pleasure of attending a chapel service since the installation I can highly recommend!
The Foundation is also the conduit for facilitating scholarships. Scholarships here at Southwell are not made out to attract the brightest academics or the most talented sportspeople but rather to protect the Southwell community. This year over $60,000 was paid to the School to support the education of 12 kids who would have otherwise not had the privilege of a Southwell education, or would have had to face leaving the Southwell community. Thank you to the 7 donors who made that donation possible.
Earlier this term we enjoyed the Chairman’s dinner which many of you were able to attend. Our appeal this year
was to support the raising of funds for the new boarding house. Boarding is such a special part of the character of Southwell school and touches the lives of boarders and day
donation of $1million towards
the construction of the boarding
house early next year. There are
too many other donors to thank
here, but many have contributed
either labour or materials to the
build, financially or by purchasing
and gifting items of fitout
(possible on the Southwell School website). Get in and have a look on the website, there are still couches, bunk beds and beanbags (amongst others) to be gifted!
Lastly the Foundation manages an endowment
fund – essentially a financial safety net for the School. Perhaps the least tangible of the Foundation’s activities, but the most important.
This year one Trustee joined our ranks, and two will sign off. We welcomed Tingting Liu who has already made a fantas- tic contribution with her bright ideas and enthusiasm for Southwell and our community. Louise Mollard and Melanie O’Neil both sign off at the end of this year and will both be sorely missed. Thank you both for your contributions and I’m sure you will stay close – I know how passionate you both are about the ongoing success of Southwell School!
So pipe and slippers affair? Not in my mind.
The Foundation is on a mission to simply make a difference.
To protect what Southwell is today for future generations. The trustees are a group of passionate parents, old boys and girls and past parents who value what Southwell is and has been to them. Who want to see it protected and enhanced for generations to come. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more, or understand how you too can make a difference in the Southwell community. Until then, have a blessed Christmas and a restful (or adventurous) summer break (whichever takes your fancy)!
Per aspera ad Astrum
DONATE NOW
To donate scan QR code for more information or contact foundation@southwell.school.nz
Open your camera app, frame up the QR code, select link.