Taunton School Main Building at Dusk

RaG Week: Giving to Charity is Rewarding

Posted: 15th February 2019

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Donating to the causes you care about not only benefits the charities themselves, it can be deeply rewarding for you too. Millions of people give to charity on a regular basis to support causes they believe in, as well as for the positive effect it has on their own lives. This week in the Senior School we have had our annual RaG week where there are lots of different events for students to get involved in and of course in the process, raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The charities Taunton School are supporting this academic year include:
• School in a Bag
• BEAT
• Malcolm Whales foundation,
• TASC Madagascar

TASC Madgascar is a charity we will be supporting for the next three years. It was established in 2003 after its trustees visited Madagascar after raising £1000s for another charity. They were unhappy with how their money was being spent by this charity and resolved to set up their own, which they called Tossing a starfish, TASC for short.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and the fourth poorest. Less than 5% of the population have access to a toilet or fresh water. 69% of the population live on less than one dollar. TASC Madagascar are involved with many different projects in Madagascar: reforestation programmes, teaching farmers new techniques, supporting communities of people who are outcast, building schools, providing basic health care and clean water to those in need.
The money raised by Taunton School will go towards equipping a new School in Madagascar with tables, chairs, books and other resources. Three schools have already been built by TASC and another school is planned to be built every 2 years. This will make a huge difference to the lives of the children in the village where it will be built.

So what has been on the RaG week schedule this year? Well we had a daily cake sale run by a different house each day: I certainly have enjoyed my slice of rocky road every day! There was great delight at waxing the legs of Mr Dougan and a few brave Year 13 boys. We had a ‘totally tropical’ themed sixth form social on Saturday evening with freshly made pizzas and of course the photo booth and great tunes to dance to. On Monday lunchtime, there was the return of gunge the teachers on Densham Green. This year, however, we did not damage the pathways and sewerage system by choosing instead to gunge the teachers in custard (thanks to the kitchen). The balloon debate was very well attended and is a real highlight of the debating calendar due to the humorous nature of the students picking well known characters fictional or real. One Night Only was a real treat, so much talent and excellently hosted by Cassie Grace and Lucas Godfrey. The Prefect auction of services always generates a big crowd and the consortiums come together to purchase the School Prefects and set them to work. After school we had our first ever House Tug of War! The girls’ competition was fierce but Weirfield were crowned the winners for the girl’s trophy and Wills East for the boy’s. We were grateful to TASC Madagascar who were there to support and present the trophies. To finish off the busy week, we had the House Music video night; the Chapel was packed. The quality of videos this year was very strong, but Wills East won with their interpretation of ‘Rocky theme song’.

So it has been a very busy, fun filled week. We believe we have made just under £5000 for charity. All of the charities we are supporting this year will benefit from the generosity of the school community.

Ruth Coomber
Director of Student Progress

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