Herman’s Community HUB has launched

  10 December, 2019

Pupils and staff at Ormiston Herman Academy in Gorleston recently celebrated the grand opening of their new #iwill Community Hub.

A special event saw the group launch the Hub, which aims to provide a safe space within the school where people can focus on their mental wellbeing. The ceremonial ribbon was cut by James Murray, Chief Executive of Ormiston Trust, whilst the charity’s Director Peter Murray, family members and a member of the National Lottery Community Fund also joined in with the celebrations.

At the launch, visitors were able to enjoy the Hub for the first time and see the input of the students, which included decisions on layout and decoration that would best promote wellbeing and motivational quotes to put on display and encourage fellow pupils. At an assembly, the #iwill group presented their efforts towards their social action projects and the future objectives they now have ahead.

In 2018, the school’s sponsor, Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), secured £2 million of funding from the #iwill fund and national charity Ormiston Trust to run social action projects across OAT’s network schools, including Herman. Since then, pupils have been taking part in #iwill’s national campaign and working to improve the wellbeing of themselves, their peers and their local communities.

Eight volunteers were selected to become Herman’s #iwill steering group, made up of pupils from Years 3-6. The group kicked off with their aims to enrich the curriculum, create opportunities for children and improve mental health within the local community. The team focused particularly on improving attitudes towards perseverance, resilience, self-belief, confidence and tenacity to help people become more emotionally and socially confident.

The pupils also organised the first #iwill fundraising auction to raise money for future projects and opportunities. Gaining prize donations from local community members and residents, the #iwill team advertised the event, put together the running plan and arranged all-important refreshments. To make the auction extra special, The Auction House in Norwich also offered an experienced auctioneer to run the event free of charge. The pupils raised an impressive £500, which will now go towards the next of the school’s many social action projects.

Mr Shreeve and Herman’s #iwill steering group

Year 4 pupil Finley commented,

“I am incredibly proud of the work I have completed here with the help of my friends,”

whilst Year 9 pupil Morgan added,

“I can’t wait to get started on our next project so we can help more of the local community.”

Kate Rutherford, Principal at Ormiston Herman Academy, said:

“We are so proud of our #iwill steering group for the efforts they have made to social action and for demonstrating the physical changes they have contributed to their community.

“We would like to thank everyone who attended the launch of the Community Hub and all who contributed to the auction prizes. We are incredibly excited to see the Hub support mental wellbeing and are confident that many more valuable projects lie ahead.”


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