Herne Hill School

The Friends of Herne Hill School (FHHS) is the School’s parents’ association.  The FHHS committee is made up of representatives from each class, and a core committee comprising two Co-Chairs, Treasurer, Secretary, Coffee and 2^nd Hand Uniform Co-ordinators etc..  Our principal aims are to help parents get to know each other; organise social events/activities for the children and parents; and raise money for our chosen school charity, Khanya School, in South Africa.  We are not involved in school/academic issues.  If you have any on such matters please refer to Mrs Beales, who welcomes direct contact with parents. 

Our class reps organise social contact between the parents in each class (with coffee mornings, parents nights out etc.) and also encourage the parents to get involved with our various school-wide social events and fund raising activities.   We organise regular school coffee mornings in the Church Hall (before our Harvest Festival, Christmas and Easter Services) and end of term cake sales for the delight of the children.   Our annual calendar of events include the Christmas Fair, Spring social event and the Summer Fair.   We send out a newsletter, “Friends United” two or three times a term – to remind parents of forthcoming events and keep you updated on progress with our fundraising activities. 

Khanya Primary School in Cape Town, South Africa is our ongoing chosen charity and a large proportion of the money raised by the FHHS (around 80%) is used to provide much needed resources for the benefit of both pupils and teachers at this desperately poor school.  The other 20% goes towards our own Herne Hill children – for example, we arrange for the Easter Bunny and Father Christmas to pay an annual visit!

FHHS support for Khanya School has included sending books and stationery, helping to establish a new reception class, setting up a computer network with broadband, and purchasing science, sports, music and other teaching equipment. In the coming year we are aiming to help Khanya build and stock a library, and will also continue to fund our bursary scheme which, every year, enables  6 of their most able pupils to continue their education through senior school.  We have found that our own Herne Hill children benefit greatly from the link with Khanya, getting satisfaction from helping others as well as increasing their knowledge of the wider world. It also enriches the school curriculum, from Kindegarten through to Year 2, where pupils learn about Khanya as part of their geography studies.

We believe Herne Hill School community has a particularly open and friendly atmosphere where lasting friendships are made between children and parents.  We welcome your support with our activities, whether you help out or just come along and have fun.