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26 May 2020
Portsmouth High School’s Head Girl team were delighted to announce that they are supporting a Portsmouth based national charity as their Sixth Form charity for the next academic year.
The Elizabeth Foundation was founded in 1981 by Shirley and David Metherell, whose daughter, Elizabeth, was diagnosed as profoundly deaf at 22 months. In response to a lack of local services, Shirley and David set up The Elizabeth Foundation to support other parents of young children with hearing loss. The charity they established has gone from strength to strength over the ensuing years.
‘We chose The Elizabeth Foundation because the work they do is so important to give disadvantaged children, with hearing loss, a more level playing field in life,’ said Head Girl, Charlotte Kellagher, 17. ‘We wanted to help contribute to this amazing cause.’
Karen Vaughan, Deputy CEO of the Foundation said:
‘The Elizabeth Foundation is so proud and grateful to have been chosen as Portsmouth High School’s Sixth Form charity. We know the school shares our inclusive values and commitment to providing the highest standard of education. We know too that the whole school will be committed to raising awareness of how we teach young deaf children to learn to listen and talk, helping them and their families to set their expectations high and to learn and make strong friendships. In fundraising for us, pupils will be directly supporting our young deaf children at one of the most critical times in their life and helping us to continue our outstanding charitable services in very challenging financial times. We look forward to sharing our impact with the pupils, knowing that they will be motivated and inspired to make a difference.’
The Head Girl team will spearhead fundraising activities throughout the coming year to generate money and raise awareness of the charity.
Portsmouth High School’s Charity Week will take place in November. It has been running for over 25 years and is always organised entirely by the Sixth Form. The week is made up of talent shows, live music events, an annual netball match versus boys from Portsmouth Grammar School and other events. It culminates in a two night Fashion Show where the Sixth Form use business acumen and entrepreneurial skills to negotiate with local shops and liaise with local businesses to put on the show.
Deputy Head Girl, Yradne Botha, 16, added:
‘A friend of ours undertook work experience at the Elizabeth Foundation and we were struck by her enthusiasm for how inspiring and life changing she found the whole experience. This is why we believe The Elizabeth Foundation is the perfect charity for our Head Girl Team to fundraise for.’
Head of Sixth Form, Mr Rob Smith, added;
‘At Portsmouth High School we encourage social responsibility as much as academic achievements and the girls give to the community in many other ways too, offering their time and creativity to a huge range of projects. It is always encouraging to see young people engaged with the wider community.’
