Hundreds of children join Tonbridge’s Community Day

More than 600 primary school children took part in a wide range of activities during Tonbridge School’s Community Day on Wednesday 3 July.

Boys and staff teamed up with children from 16 primary schools, special schools and community groups, encouraging them to try their hand at something new and have fun along the way. 

A total of 29 activities were on offer, including performance poetry, arts and crafts, climbing, science classes, model-making, a book fair, various sports, photography, creative writing, dance, drama, wheelchair basketball, digital creativity and music. 

There was also a dramatic ‘rescue operation’ staged by firefighters from Tonbridge Fire Station, complete with smoke, sirens and engines.

This popular event is a key part of the school’s commitment to social responsibility.

Schools and community groups were looked after by the school’s first year boys (Year 9s), while the activities were run by sixth formers and school staff.  

Visiting schools and groups included The Aim Project; Bidborough CE Primary School; Cage Green Phoenix Centre; Cage Green Primary School; Capel Primary School; Hildenborough CE Primary School; Leigh Primary School; Long Mead Community Primary School; Royal Rise Primary School; Scotts Project; Shipbourne School; Slade Primary School; St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School; Sussex Road Community Primary School; Wateringbury CE Primary School and Woodlands Primary School.

Tonbridge’s 2nd and 3rd years raised more than £14,000 by walking a half-marathon circular route from the school in support of Child Action Lanka, raising funds for the charity’s new Education Centre in Batticaloa. The centre will transform the educational provision provided to more than 800 children in six communities in the Batticaloa (east coast) region of Sri Lanka.  

Juliet Burnett, Tonbridge School’s Community Action Manager, said: “Whole School Community Day is our flagship event in a busy year of community, volunteering and charitable activities. It’s one of the most important days in the school calendar and, we hope, delivers lasting benefits for all involved – for our boys and staff, and for our local and wider community.

“We had a fantastic day, the weather was amazing, and everyone headed home tired but happy. A number of our guests left with the parting words: “That was the best day ever!”  

You can donate to Tonbridge’s Child Action Lanka Batticaloa Education Centre Appeal via the link.