"Be joyful always; pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians
5 v 16-18
School Extension Fundraising Event - June 14th
Head Teacher's Perspective
Miriam Wiltshire was unable to attend due to ill health, but Kevin Wiltshire was able to outline her perspective on why the school needs to be redeveloped and extended:
The Current Situation
The school has grown numerically more than anyone expected - the facilities badly need upgrading. The science lab needs structural work and the mobile is well beyond its best-by date. The hall has to be used for a class, as well as productions and services; it doubles as the school office and other teachers teach small groups while the Junior class is also in there. Despite all the activity, it's not noisy and chaotic, but who would naturally want to work in such conditions?
The Future
It is an aim for the future to become an exam centre and thus the amount of travelling involved to Grittleton; it would also be wonderful to be able to offer a wider range of subjects at GCSE.
Other options
The Governors have looked at length at the other options for the school - moving to another site, buying new mobile classrooms, buying land nearby, but with each one, the 'door' has been closed.
The People
God has provided Emmaus with a wonderful architect in Dale Roberts, a fundraiser in Ken Pearson and a project manager in David Skull.
Ken
Pearson spoke at the meeting and reminded us that all the principles of
fundraising are Biblical - the ideas of proportional giving, generous giving and
sharing freely. He also explained that God loves a cheerful giver because HE is
a cheerful giver. By giving cheerfully, we share in God's nature. He also spoke
of the Rumplestiltskin effect - £3 spent each day on a coffee and piece of cake
each day would (if there was Gift Aid on refreshments) add up to £1000 over 5
years. Ken reminded us of the importance of Gift Aid - Revenue and Customs could
easily become the biggest contributor to the project.
Kevin,
the Chair of Governors, urged everyone to pray fervently and daily for the project and to pray and
see what we can do to contribute, whatever form that contribution might take.
Vision for the Future
Emmaus as it used to look Now with a new classroom Emmaus as we hope it will look
With the new classroom now in use, the school has a hall and two classrooms; situated in the grounds is a mobile classroom which houses 2 classes.
The children and staff have grown to accept the current situation with great patience, especially when several groups have has to use the hall at the same time. Even with the new classroom now in use, the head teacher is still having to teach her class in the hall.
With stage one now complete, stage two would offer
- three more classrooms
- staffroom
- showers and changing rooms
- music room
- tuition room
- new toilets
- disabled access
- reception area
- storage area
- improved car parking
Click here to see more pictures of the proposed development
How you can help
1. Please pray for the school
The school was established through the prayers of a number of people who had a real burden to provide Christian education in this area. The work will only continue and thrive through the continued prayer support of God’s people.
2. Please give towards the work.
The work will cost in the region of £700,000 to complete.
If you would like to give towards the building work, we would be grateful for any gift whether large or small.
Gifts can be increased in value at no cost to taxpayers if they give under the Gift Aid Scheme. This is because Gift Aid adds 28p in the pound back from Revenue & Customs.
The school will also be seeking gifts from trusts and foundations. If you know of any local trusts, please contact us.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the building project that you would like to make, the governors would be delighted to hear from you. They can be contacted via the webmaster.