Every year, we host a special event to thank our community of Trinity Bursary Fund supporters who enable us to offer bursaries to talented students in Croydon.
Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting the event at the historic Stationers’ Hall, a Grade I listed building situated next to St Paul’s Cathedral. Mrs Lewis, Alumni Relations Manager, reports back from the successful evening:
“This annual event serves as a gesture of appreciation extended to our supporters who, through one-time contributions and monthly donations to the Trinity Bursary Fund, make it possible for many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to benefit from an exceptional education at Trinity.
The evening commenced with Alasdair Kennedy, Headmaster, delivering an introduction and welcoming guests to the event. He was followed by Giles Fagan, the Clerk at Stationers’ Hall, who regaled the attendees with an engaging account of the Stationers’ history. Among the anecdotes was the tale of a notable printing mishap: a historic edition of the Bible published in 1631 by Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, had accidentally omitted the word ‘NOT’ from the commandment ‘Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery’. It goes without saying that these bibles had to be promptly reprinted!
Jason Court, our Director of Development, then presented a series of three videos, featuring Heads from our Primary School Partnerships. They conveyed their thanks to Trinity School for supporting their primary school students, by introducing them to new sporting activities, Saturday school, and attending our theatre productions.
Jason then introduced Michael McConnell (left photo, centre), our keynote speaker from the Class of 2012 who opened his speech by saying, “Do you know what I think was the greatest achievement Trinity bestowed on me? It was coming away as a balanced, well-rounded young man that was ready to embrace the world for its differences, but with the perspective to seek out the similarities that bind us.”
Michael attended Trinity on a bursary from 2004 to 2012 and is a self-confessed football nut. He supports the Trinity Bursary Fund with a regular monthly subscription. Michael gave a powerful and moving speech, which was emblematic of the collective aspirations we, as a community, hold for our bursary students.
The event brought together the entire Trinity community, including parents, alumni, and staff, as well as notable figures Gary Coy and Gareth Burchell from our partner the Rowdown Foundation. The Rowdown Foundation is a registered charity that provides funding to enable gifted and talented pupils from New Addington primary schools to gain access to educational and other life-enhancing opportunities.
In attendance were Trinity Bursary Fund Ambassadors, many of whom had themselves been beneficiaries of bursaries or had actively participated in the Telephone Fundraising Campaigns of 2021 and 2023. They had the opportunity to engage in personal conversations with our guests, sharing firsthand the profound impact of a bursary on their education at Trinity.
To our incredible supporters, we extend our deepest thanks. We invite you to consider becoming a part of our community of regular contributors by visiting www.trinitygives.org.uk or reaching out to Jason Court, Director of Development, at development@trinity.croydon.sch.uk.
Last year’s event took place at the Old Bailey, and we look forward to welcoming you to next year’s gathering, which will be hosted at yet another exceptional venue. All event photos have been uploaded to our professional networking platform, My Trinity.”
With thanks to Mrs Lewis.
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