Our brand new film explores how the Foundation Appeal helps to ensure educational excellence at Mill Hill, Belmont and Grimsdell. From the building of the Poon Nature Reserve at Belmont to musical projects at Grimsdell and the provision of means-tested bursaries at Mill Hill, the film examines how the Appeal is helping to provide first class facilities, and wider-access to those facilities, across the Mill Hill School Foundation. There is some great footage of pupils enjoying their time at school and we hope you enjoy watching the film as much as we enjoyed making it.
The generosity of donors has enabled us to push ahead with the phased refurbishment of the Mill Hill School Science Building, an initiative that coincides with the 50th anniversary in 2012 of the award of the Nobel Prize to Francis Crick (Old Millhillian) following his discovery of DNA, something we will be celebrating with a series of events to commemorate the School's greatest scientist. The Physics Department is now complete and in 2012 and 2013 it is planned to move on to Biology and Chemistry. There are also plans for a new science and classroom building at Belmont.
Each laboratory costs between £50,000 and £80,000 to upgrade and the Appeal continues to look for donations which really make a tremendous difference to the teaching facilities at Mill Hill. Donors who pay for a laboratory can also have their name associated with it if they wish.
Lord GlendonbrookIn the Annual Review 2009/10 we were able to write that Sir Michael Bishop (School House 1955-57) had undertaken to support the Foundation Appeal with a gift in 2011. It is excellent news to be able to confirm that Sir Michael, who was raised to the peerage in January as Lord Glendonbrook of Bowdon in the County of Cheshire, has committed £300,000 from the Michael Bishop Foundation to the A Better Chance bursary campaign. This wonderfully generous gift has given the fundraising for People a huge boost and helped us to provide opportunities for talented young people.
The Headmaster adds his appreciation:
“Our most sincere thanks go to Lord Glendonbrook for such a generous gift. Donations on this scale really can make an immediate impact and help the Foundation to achieve its aspirations. The bursary beneficiaries are very deserving recipients and potentially outstanding pupils. I would also like to thank Lord Glendonbrook for making a substantial increase to his legacy pledge this year.”
Lord Glendonbrook writes:
“It is my great pleasure to support the A Better Chance bursary scheme which the Foundation Appeal has established. I would like to pay tribute to OMs Robin Mills and Graham Drake who created the scheme and led the way. Through the Michael Bishop Foundation three pupils will be coming into Mill Hill in September 2011 and be able to enjoy the benefits of a Mill Hill education. Their personal circumstances would not have made this possible. I have learned something of their backgrounds and heard that they are all talented young people who will not only benefit personally but also make significant contributions to the School while they are here. Two of them will be taking advantage of all that boarding has to offer; I am pleased about this as I feel there can be something special about boarding life for some young people. Two of them have musical talent, something which I have always enjoyed supporting.
“The Michael Bishop Foundation supports a number of charities every year; there are specific and often personal reasons behind the gifts it makes. As an Old Millhillian I am proud to be associated with Mill Hill. This pride comes less from looking back on my time at the School with great affection than because I feel strongly that the whole Foundation with its three schools, is well led and making positive strides towards a successful future.”