St John’s was delighted to host a truly memorable fundraising dinner, which has already raised an impressive £35,000 and rising. The evening brought together friends of the school, former staff, current and past parents, and alumni for a wonderful occasion of celebration, connection and generosity.
Held in the magnificent setting of the St John’s College Hall, the event was filled with warmth and conviviality from the moment guests arrived. It was a pleasure to see so many members of the St John’s community reunited, sharing stories, laughter and a strong sense of belonging.
St John’s is built on love. A love of learning, a love of teaching, a love of the school itself, but above all, a love of the children and who they might become. You feel it from the moment you arrive. Not just in the big things, but in the small, daily acts. The patience, the encouragement, the quiet belief that every child matters. Because at St John’s, they really do. There is no such thing as a typical child here. Each one is known. Each one is understood. And each one is given something incredibly powerful. The chance to begin again. Every day. (Sir William Russell, Guest Speaker)
The evening was enriched by outstanding entertainment from the Gents of St John’s, whose performance was a real highlight, alongside excellent food and wine that were thoroughly enjoyed by all. Guests were also treated to engaging and thought‑provoking contributions from our guest speakers, Sir William Russell, Mr David Palmer (current Governor, former parent and member of staff) and Mrs Sarah Wright (Head Teacher), whose words added insight and meaning to the occasion. With Mr Tim Clarke (Head of Drama), expertly guiding proceedings as MC, the event flowed seamlessly throughout the evening.
The dinner reflected the spirit of St John’s perfectly: a community grounded in generosity, shared purpose and enduring connections. We are immensely grateful to everyone who attended and supported the event, helping to raise vital funds for our Capital Projects and SJCS Bursary Endowment Funds and ensuring the evening was a resounding success.
From the moment I walked in to that wonderful dinner and being greeted by the Development Director, I felt entirely welcomed. Everything went extremely well, congratulations to you all for organising such a wonderful event. (Friend of St John's)
If you would like to find out more about how you can support St John’s, please get in touch with our Development Director, Rhys Paterson, at rpaterson@sjcs.co.uk.