Leadership Likes: Mrs Cook

This week Mrs Cook reflects on the real power of philanthropy

Blessed Are Those Who Plant Trees Under Whose Shade They Will Never Sit

I attended a Conference last year, where the guest speaker repeatedly stressed how important it was to ‘embed an ethos of philanthropy’ in a school, as if this was somehow an abstract idea that might be unfamiliar to his audience.

I remember thinking, this guy clearly hasn’t been to Croydon High.

As someone who frequently has to explain their job title (Director of External Relations and Philanthropy) I have had plenty of time to reflect on what philanthropy actually means – and specifically in relation to education and to Croydon High. As with all concepts, there are a number of different definitions including “ the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes” but I prefer the wider view that “philanthropy means anyone who is giving their time, energy, expertise and money to help make the world a better place.”

I have long taken the view that philanthropy is at the very core of what we do here at Croydon High. Ever since the school was founded, almost 150 years ago, the desire to create opportunities for young women and to instil in those young women values which compel them to ‘make a difference’ has been fundamental. The often told tale of our first Headmistress, Miss Neligan, pulling ivy from the wall and instructing her pupils to wear it in their hair to mark them out as Croydon High pupils, illustrates her confidence that ‘her girls’ would represent the values associated with her school.  And this remains the case today.

Throughout the school, we regularly celebrate initiatives – both staff and pupil-led – which demonstrate how much we, as a school community seek to connect and support the wider community. Our Head of Community and Outreach, Mrs Beck, is always seizing opportunities (national and local) where we can become involved and help raise awareness and funds for great causes.

And we are also fortunate to benefit enormously ourselves, from the philanthropic efforts of those directly connected to us.  For example, the PTA who work tirelessly to put on events such as the fabulous Winter Fair, raising significant funds which they donate to the school to provide desirable ‘extras’ which benefit pupils throughout the school.  They make such a difference and we are so grateful.

But the clearest evidence we have of how the ethos of philanthropy has always been so deeply embedded in the heart of the school, is the support we receive from former staff and alumnae through the Ivy Link Network.   For example, the generosity of a former teacher of Music, Peggy Guillou, has long enhanced opportunities for our budding musicians and creatives. It is due to her significant legacy that we are able to fund the Year 3 strings programme, the Year 5 woodwind and brass programme and it also helped us create our stunning MAC Suite (it stands for Music and Art Creative Suite – but is also filled with Apple Mac stations) along with a fabulous recording studio, which pupils in Seniors enjoy using so much. More recently, the legacy left to the school by alumna Helen Holt, enabled us to embark upon our most ambitious building project for some time, as the Junior Hall was transformed into The Holt, complete with a spacious entrance lobby and the welcome addition of an Enterprise Technology room.

In recent years, fundraising activities undertaken by GDST schools has purposely moved towards supporting bursary provision in our schools, which reflects the Founders wishes to extend opportunity to as many young women as possible, regardless of their financial circumstances. Croydon High as a whole has benefitted hugely from being able to award a number of funded places in our Sixth Form to talented inspiring girls, thanks to generous legacy gifts from alumnae and to the particular support of an individual family trust, whose specific wishes were to support the school in this way.

Last week I met with Sam Davies, Director of Philanthropy at the GDST, to discuss our plans for honouring yet another legacy, this one from alumna Susan-Ann Dowle. Mrs Dowle left our school in 1956, but reconnected with us in later years and visited on a number of occasions. She was a vivid, larger than life character whose passions included fast cars and cricket! When we were notified of her wishes, we wanted to ensure that her personality was reflected appropriately in her legacy to the school. So, as well as ring fencing some of the funds to support our bursary provision, which she strongly supported, it seemed appropriate to channel some of her gift into developing our provision for cricket at the school. We sought approval from family members in their capacity as Executors and this was enthusiastically given – so please watch this space for news of how we intend to do this! I am confident Susan-Ann will approve.

It is humbling (and rather sad) to think that the financial support received through legacies means, of course that we are never able to properly thank our benefactors or demonstrate to them the power of their generosity. They have planted the trees and we are enjoying the shade.

What I regard as a critical part of my role in the school, is to try and support and enable the many individuals and groups who want to give, financially and in other ways, and who will ensure that Croydon High remains an initiator of philanthropy.  Not everyone will choose or be in a position to be able to donate financially, either in their lifetime or through a legacy. And as transformative as these gifts are, it is actually the everyday culture of caring, of giving time and sharing expertise for the greater good, those traits that we see around us here every day, that have the most impact. It is from this culture, not unique to Croydon High but certainly incredibly strong here, that always has and always will inspire the philanthropists of tomorrow.

May her character and talents inspire others.

Susan-Ann with former Croydon High Head Debbie Leonard and The Holt Hall plaque

Mrs F Cook
Director of Philanthropy and External Relations