Dear Member, A very warm welcome to the first edition of the SHSB Charitable Trust Newsletter which we are very excited to share specifically with all our 2025 Society members.
A very warm welcome to the first edition of the SHSB Charitable Trust Newsletter which we are very excited to share specifically with all our 2025 Society members.
“Our main aims and objectives are to advance the education of, and support the provision of items, services and facilities for, the pupils at Southend High School for Boys, now and for future generations to come.”
Dr Paul Husselbee
Chair and Trustee SHSB Charitable Trust
Thanks to your generosity, and that of others, in just a few short months since its launch in April 2025 the Charitable Trust was able to raise over £110,000 by the end of the school year. This was a fantastic achievement and on behalf of the Trustees I cannot thank you enough. We will shortly be announcing how the first tranche of this money will be put to good use for the purposes for which it was donated. Our work continues and we have a challenging task to raise a further £150,000 during the next academic year to August 2026.
Later this term, there will be a series of activities happening in school as part of our engagement and fundraising efforts.
As part of this, we're pleased to share our "Music Marathon" event at the school on Saturday 6th December in collaboration with the school's talented musicians, members of the Old Southendian Association and other friends of the school.
From 9am there will be music "around the clock" until 9pm, alongside other activities, refreshments and opportunities to get involved! Stay tuned for more details on how you can support, and contact joseph.zammit@shsbcharitabletrust.org with any questions, offers to perform, or other ideas!
Highlights and Good News worth shouting about
Dinner Dance Success
In July, the Old Southendian Association (OSA) held their Summer Dinner Dance at The Boundary, which was a truly enchanting evening. From the musical diversity of SHSB students joining with Old Southendians to entertain the guests, to the SHSB artwork on display and auctioned, the generous contributions totalled to an astonishing£13,000for the Charitable Trust – a magnificent achievement and brilliantly orchestrated by Andy Crow with the help and support of many others.
School Charity Walk Fundraiser
Towards the end of the summer term, students elected to participate in the annual Charity Walk. Routes were checked for hazards, volunteers were ready for action and encouragement with the students raring to go. Collectively, the supporters of this event raised a whopping £12,700 which made a significant difference to our final total…thank you to everyone involved.
Remembering Derek Impey
The Impey family sadly lost their beloved Derek at the end of 2024. As an alumnus, Derek and his family have always been passionate about preserving SHSB, its ethos and heritage, for generations to come. His final legacy was to generously raise funds at his funeral and to donate a trophy which was proudly presented at Sports Day by the family. Three generations of the Impey family were in attendance, enthusiastically cheering Athens from the sidelines – it was an absolute joy to welcome them all.
Sharing experiences of SHSB
Another alumnus, James R, using his own initiative, engaged his employer in a conversation about his personal experience at, and the wonders of, SHSB. This resulted in a significant one-off donation from someone who fully appreciated the lengths our school goes to, to provide the best education possible, resulting in well-rounded young people who are prepared and ready to step forth into the world of work and succeed in their chosen profession.
Workplace Match Funding supports SHSBCT
Finally, we have been absolutely delighted with the consideration and aforethought of people recognising that their employers offer match funding benefits to their employees. To date, there have been multiple contributions from Bank of America and Barings Bank via their UK and US based staff. So simple and effective, with a massive impact on our finances, so if anyone else has the facility to engage their employers in this capacity, we would be extremely grateful and would love to hear from you.
The 2025 Society
We proudly launched The 2025 Society in recognition of our generous donors who make a regular donation of at least £20.25 per month to the Trust, or £243 per year.
All contributions will make a significant difference for the school. For example, with just 500 people joining The 2025 Society we will, with Gift Aid, raise a large proportion of our required target every year. People have also chosen to make a higher monthly contribution and/or made a larger one-time donation. We can promise you that ALL of the money we receive has a meaningful impact!
For those of you who have not yet collected your boxed pin badges, please can you contact nicki.weller@shsbcharitabletrust.org and arrange for collection if at all possible since we are mindful of extortionate postage costs these days.
Our 2025 Society members enjoy:
☑️ A pin badge in recognition of their commitment
☑️ Regular newsletters with updates and achievements to date
☑️ Invitations to SHSB annual events
☑️ Being named on our list of donors – unless, of course, you choose to remain anonymous.
The first SHSB Charitable Trust
Student Ambassador Programme
At the beginning of this Autumn term, we launched the first ever recruitment drive for SHSB Charitable Trust Student Ambassadors. It had become apparent, that whilst the support from our current students and the amazing Old Southendian Association (OSA) has been the core to our fundraising success this year, we wanted to engage our parents/guardians further, to become instrumental as well, should they wish to be more involved.
Fifty students, from all year groups, applied in the hope of being selected as one of our first Ambassadors. They submitted their own distinct, creative and innovative ideas to raise the fundamental funds required for the current time and near future goals, as well as citing their individual passion and reasons for wishing to become part of the Charitable Trust. Twenty students were finally shortlisted, representing their Houses and eagerly attended an introductory meeting which explained more about our aims and objectives. A huge welcome to them all!
This next stage in our campaign is already looking incredibly promising with such vital and enthusiastic participants on board, ready to become involved and committed to our vision.
And finally… our next priorities and a thank you
For complete transparency, the SHSB Charitable Trust wanted to share our key priority projects at the school that we are currently seeking funding towards, via grants/bid applications as well as our on-going, continued fundraising support:
Food Tech electric ovens x 8, a steam oven, cooker hoods, new gas supply, cabling, flooring, etc, to comply with recent changes to commercial gas regulations – the current ovens are to be condemned!
External gates, door entry access control and an automated entry barrier – security is always a high priority, but our school is currently open to the public with little or no restriction, which we have addressed and highlighted with essential works required;
Astroturf and outdoor canopies – there is no provision for shade or shelter from the elements in general outside. The Astroturf is also a trip hazard and covers a drain which it should not;
Boilers – we have six boilers, one of which has completely failed. They all need replacing but at an astronomical cost to the school, which we just wouldn't have the means to fund;
Gym and cardio equipment – a complete refurbishment of the Fitness Suite is needed for the long term aim of improving the overall health and well-being of our students and staff. The cardio machine is also failing and hindering students' progress, and needs immediate replacement.
Your continued support as past and present students, staff, parents, governors, friends and supporters of the school is vital for us to succeed and safeguard the school's future. If you are able to assist with offers of help towards sourcing the best quotations and/or recommendations for the essential works above, please contact nicki.weller@shsbcharitabletrust.org.
Lastly on behalf of the Trustees of the Southend High School for Boys Charitable Trust, Paul Richards, Richard Maddison, Joe Zammit, Karl Anderson and I, THANK YOU for your support.
Dr Paul Husselbee Chair and Trustee
SHSB Charitable Trust
Southend High School for Boys Charitable Trust, c/o Southend High School for Boys, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 0RG
