Community & Charity
Our pupils and parents are incredibly charitable and think nothing of raising money for a myriad of good causes. As well as charity, they also hold the school community, local community and indeed many other communities, including those overseas, close to their hearts.
The Ballard family is often seen rallying round others in need. We are currently supporting Schools for Sierra Leone, raising money to fund and ship a shipping container full of books and resources to Sierra Leone.
Our pupils believe that fundraising can be fun, especially the annual Santa Dash around Lymington, which raises money for the local Oakhaven Hospice. A team of Ballard pupils, parents, staff and alumni (and dogs!) take part in this fun event. Our choir also sings at their Christmas fundraiser to help raise funds.
Closer to home, we support war veterans with our permanent memorial, poppy appeal and Remembrance Service, whilst also joining our local community for their remembrance parades.
Every year our four School Houses select a charity to support. Fundraising can get competitive between Houses as they invent ingenious ways to raise money for their chosen charity. Each charity is invited to visit the School to inform the pupils about all the good work that they are helping to support. Pupils enjoy the many House events throughout the year which include sports, quizzes, vertical mentoring and the Apprentice competition.
Community
There are many ways in which Ballard becomes involved in the community alongside all the charity work. We open our doors each year for our ‘Heritage Open Morning Scheme’ as well as running a series of Careers Lectures.
Our Music department regularly perform at the Christchurch Priory, Beaulieu Abbey, local care homes and fundraise by singing Carols at the Chewton Glen.
They also provide a wonderful Christmas Community Concert in our Performing Arts Centre (PAC). We invite local care home residents and their carers for a morning of festive music performed by our pupils. Hot drinks and mince pies are served and the residents are encouraged to sing along.
Local primary schools are invited to watch our school performances. We transport pupils to and from the show and they especially love the half time ice creams!
