The Friends of Borlase welcome you
Can you help?🫶
We URGENTLY need volunteers to fill the following roles: chiefly a Secretary in order to maintain quorum, but also someone to manage communications (social media, emails, and this website), and someone to maintain the volunteer roster and manage stock for the Friends Bar at school events.
These roles are essential to a functioning parent association and could be shared among friends or partners. Incoming volunteers will have lots of documentation and guidance, and a fulsome handover from the outgoing committee member who is leaving us only because she is returning home to Canada with her family!
In all cases, please drop a line to friends@swbgs.com to step up or to learn more.
Creating lasting memories & outstanding facilities
The Friends of Borlase (FoB) are a non-profit made up of parents and other supporters of students at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School.
Our goal: to enrich the lives and support the learning of every Borlase student. At social and school events throughout the year, FoB raise money to fund the "extras" – enrichment, experiences, and facilities – beyond what diminishing government education budgets can provide.
Bonus: it’s a great way to get to know and improve your child’s school community, make new friends, and have some fun!
FoB funds at work: 2023–24
Eco-Society & Garden Society
The FoB funded the combined efforts of two student-led societies whose remit is to reclaim unloved sections of the school grounds and pursue the Eco-Schools Green Flag designation for Borlase.
Greenpower Racing Team
The FoB funded the launch of a 13-person STEM-focused student team dedicated to designing, building, and racing an electric go-kart as part of the Greenpower Education Trust.
(Image source: Greenpower.co.uk)
R/C Model Aeroplane Club
The FoB funded the launch of a student club dedicated to designing, making, and flying radio-controlled model aircraft, sparking students’ interest in engineering and aerospace and perhaps flying as a hobby or a career.
(Image source: The British Model Flying Association)
Physics Dept. Wind Tunnel
The FoB funded the purchase of materials for an open circuit wind tunnel designed and built by a Y13 student as a Gold Crest project. This resource will remain in the Borlase Physics department for student use and aerodynamics experiments.
Sport & Recreation
The FoB purchased five new footballs for each year group to encourage active play during break times.
A future purchase: an outdoor storage solution for the gear.
Portable PA System
The FoB funded the purchase of a new mixer and CD/USB player for the portable public address system staff and students use during assemblies and events – and of course, exams!
Projects 2022–23
Wellness Hub
FoB Co-Chair Emerita Chrissy Longley was inspired by studies showing that even a 15-minute break can help teens re-regulate their nervous system.Â
In Autumn 2022, with design input from neurodiversity expert Isobel Rogers, Chrissy led a small volunteer team in refurbishing two underused, tired-looking Cloisters rooms. Our innovative Wellness Hub includes a dedicated decompression suite: the Quiet Room.
Quiet Room
An oasis in the noisy, busy school environment. Students can relax on a lounger amid soft lighting and calming aromatherapy scents. They can listen to binaural beats that sync with and lower their pulse and choose from mindfulness meditations and other resources in the Wellness Toolbox. After a decompression session, students can return to class refreshed and ready to learn.
Counselling Suite
An important FoB project was refurbishing the school Counselling Suite. With fresh paint and cosy furnishings, we transformed a drab office into a warm, welcoming room. Counsellors and students can now meet in an inviting, relaxing space that better suits the important time they spend together.
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Many thanks to FoB Co-Chair Emerita Chrissy Longley and parent volunteer Andrew Dean.