Every year we support a number of charities through major school events as well as fund-raising activities initiated by the girls of the school. We have a particular commitment to Mary’s Meals, a Scottish charity which provides school meals to children in many of the poorest areas of the world.

In September 2013, we were recognised as a Fair Trade school, and we aim to increase our commitment to the primary producers of developing countries - by having a preference for buying Fair Trade products as a school and as individual members of the school community. We transform the lives of farmers and factory workers the world over, giving them and their children the hope of a brighter future. In doing this we are living out our commitment to our goal of social awareness.

We do this too through our programme of community service where, for example, we regularly visit the residents of the local retirement home and assist at events in the local community centre.

Girls will often take the lead. This year saw the return of the BFGs - the Big Friendly Girls. Led by the Upper Sixth, it is a programme for mentoring younger pupils, providing them with a young person to whom they can turn to for advice and guidance.

The girls of the Lower Sixth can choose to follow the Caritas Award as part of their curriculum. Encompassing both community service and personal reflection, it provides an formal, accredited recognition and structure for their contributions to the school and local community.