Charities Week Raises Thousands

For one week in the autumn term each year the whole of Derby Grammar School devotes itself to fun and fundraising - all to raise money for the Tanzania Project which supports Gedeli B School in Mwanza, Tanzania. This year over £4000 has been raised.

For one week in the autumn term each year the whole of Derby Grammar School devotes itself to fun and fundraising - all to raise money for the Tanzania Project which supports Gedeli B School in Mwanza, Tanzania. This year over £4000 has been raised.

Arranged by the sixth formers who are travelling to Tanzania the following July, there are lots of whacky events, challenges and games planned, and they usually involve some element of staff humiliation!

This year was no exception. There was the Yes/No quiz, the teachers vs students quiz, the marshmallow competition, the dance competition, the staff vs students football match and the crossbar challenge, as well as games and quizzes every breaktime along with cake sales – there was so much cake!

In the staff vs students quiz, Karam had a tough time keeping the unruly teams in check, particularly the staff. Despite gaining an early lead the staff lost the quiz on the final all-or-nothing questions, much to the delight of the watching assembly.

The marshmallow eating competition was hilarious. The six contestants had a hard time saying chubby fluffy bunny with a mouthful of marshmallows. Despite valiant efforts, Tharusan (Year 6) and Mrs Genders were first to fold; Mrs Sly almost made it to the end. Miss Stebbings was the teachers’ secret weapon and made it to the end, but so did the two students, David and Noah, who were declared the winners.

Junior School won Thursday’s dance competition. Their fantastic Streetdance wowed the judges and they fought off strong competition from Year 13 and Varchas in Year 12. After a morning of dance the Juniors then went off for their sponsored swim which raised £1222.

Friday was the finale. During assembly we watched the highlights of the staff vs students football match. Both teams were equally hampered: the students by Vinay’s two left feet and the teachers by Mr Smyth’s short legs. But the students won the day with two outstanding goals by Dylan. Great commentary throughout by sixth formers Matt and Elliot!

After a morning of penalty shoot-out competitions and the final of the Connect4 challenge, at Friday breaktime Yusuf and Ahmed took to the stocks. The other boys formed a long line to pay £1 to throw three sponges at them!

Friday evening saw the first of two performances of the pantomime, Aladdin. What a brilliant production it was; great jokes, superb music and witty ad-libs.

The week of fun raised an incredible £4604 – this includes £2051 from the pantomime alone. Thank you to everyone who donated and supported our activities. We couldn’t do it without you.