On 23 March 2020, the UK went into the first lockdown. As the nation comes together to reflect on the events of the past year, we want to thank our Reigatian community for your support.
Last March, we could never imagine what lay ahead. While many of us will have faced grief, despair or numerous other challenges, there have also been many positive acts of generosity and kindness. The sense of community has never been stronger.
We want to pay tribute to all Reigatians:
to those who have worked tirelessly on the front line throughout the pandemic – our incredible RGS Heroes
the parents thrown into home-schooling
our incredible teachers who found creative ways to make online learning engaging
everyone who has stayed at home, however isolating that has been
to those who responded to appeals for donations of food, nappies, stationery, school uniform and money
RGS support staff, including the amazing Estates team and cleaners, who made the site Covid-secure for current students and colleagues
the many volunteers who have delivered shopping, prescriptions and pulse oximeters and banked cheques; and more recently those who helped with the Covid testing efforts
to those who have phoned friends and family with words of support or checked on a neighbour
we also pay tribute to the many people who have lost loved ones, including many in the Reigatian community
“At the worst of times, I saw the best of people and was proud, yet again, to be a member of the Reigatian community.” Shaun Fenton, Headmaster
RGS We Care: month-by-month
March
2020
RGS We Care launched to offer support to the community
Volunteers began delivering shopping and prescriptions
All pupils wrote letters to elderly residents of local care homes and to those in the Reigatian community
RGS front-line heroes were celebrated via social media
Remote learning began. The school remained open to vulnerable students and the children of key workers
April
2020
The Design Technology department began manufacturing visors
RGS started distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospitals and care homes
The RGS playground became a drop-off point for a Foodbank collection in partnership with Loveworks
Fortnightly e-newsletters began to inform and help Reigatians feel less isolated
The RGS Foundation wrote to, and phoned, older and more vulnerable Reigatians to offer support
May
2020
The Reigatian community celebrated Founder’s Day and marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day
The PE department shared a video with Age Concern showing how to exercise in a chair, to be shared with their community
June
2020
In response to an appeal by local charity, Stripey Stork, Reigatians donated more than 2,000 nappies and almost 5,000 items of stationery for families in need
July
2020
The RGS Foundation launched the Nightingale Fund
August
2020
First Nightingale Fund Sixth Form medics bursary place was awarded to Loyce O
77Reigatians ordered NIGHTINGALE beer, raising £3,770 for the Nightingale Fund
The RGS Estates team and cleaning staff worked tirelessly to make the school Covid-safe
September
2020
School reopened
Reigatian community donated £144,907 towards the Nightingale Fund through the Nightingale Giving Day
October
2020
42 Reigatians played at the charity golf day, raising over £5,000 for the Nightingale Fund
November
2020
Second Foodbank collection in partnership with Loveworks
The Remembrance Day service was shared virtually with the whole community
December
2020
The Carols by Candlelight event was shared virtually
Food collection for Christmas dinners – in partnership with Loveworks
All year groups wrote cards to the residents of local care homes, the nurses at East Surrey Hospital, the police at Reigate Police Station and the staff at East Surrey MacMillan Cancer Support
The Music department held live Zoom sessions with Beaumont Care Home and Wray Common Nursing Home, in which members of the Fourth and Sixth Form chatted to residents and performed music
January
2021
Remote learning resumed
RGS minibuses and volunteers helped take local people over the age of 80 to vaccination appointments
Covid testing began for the children of critical workers and for staff across RGS, RSM and Chinthurst Schools
February
2021
In partnership with Vegilantes, over 4,000 meals were delivered to families in need for February half term to help combat holiday hunger
Third Foodbank collection – in partnership with Loveworks
Over 200 volunteers offered to deliver Pulse Oximeters to local Covid patients – in partnership with NHS Heartlands Clinical Commissioning Group
March
2021
In partnership with Stripey Stork, over 250 items of school uniform were donated to families in need
