The School is proud of its range of scholarships and bursaries, the scholarships to recognise ability and the bursaries on a means-tested basis. We are very keen to extend these and make it possible for talented girls to join the School who through financial circumstances would not otherwise be able to do so.
The Miss Macdonald Bursary Fund is a new project to raise funds for such bursaries. Miss Macdonald was the much revered Headmistress from 1935 to 1960, who saw the School through some turbulent times with considerable success (including entry to the Direct Grant system) and whose commitment to educating able girls irrespective of their financial circumstances is reflected in the purpose of the Fund that we are establishing in her name.
The Fund will be formally launched in the Autumn Term, following an initial appeal to parents of recent leavers. This initial appeal was given a most welcome start by the Parents’ Association who donated half the surplus from their annual ball, and with a number of other kind contributions the total is almost enough to fund one full Sixth Form bursary for September 2010. This is a marvellous start but we hope that over the coming months others will be equally generous and that we shall be able to do much more, in particular provide at least one further full bursary for the whole seven years of the Senior School. We are very grateful for all donations, and every little really does help, especially with the benefit of Gift Aid. All contributions will be recorded and recognised in an appropriate way.
Miss Macdonald was very proud of her Irish roots, which are reflected in the beautiful stained glass window depicting St Patrick that was donated by the Old Girls’ Association, ASROGA. This now greets visitors to the School in the main entrance. This is a most fortuitous link with our current Headmistress, Mrs Stanley, who is also fervently proud to be Irish.
If you would like more information about The Miss Macdonald Bursary Fund or other fundraising opportunities please contact the Headmistress or the Development Director, email development@theabbey.co.uk.