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Concordia Winter 2024

Clubs and Societies Fund Update

(comprising staff, OMTs and parents) who ultimately decide which groups to support. Here are some of the highlights from what has been achieved through those awards.

through involvement in the various clubs and societies at school. It offers the boys the chance to bid for funding for equipment or an initiative for their club. In doing so, it also gives them the experience of writing a persuasive proposal to a committee

In March 2024 the Clubs and Societies Committee, supported by gifts to the Head Master’s Discretionary Fund from OMTs and parents, awarded over £14,000 to a variety of the school’s Clubs and Societies. The scheme is all about enhancing pupils’ experiences

Art Café The award from the Clubs and Societies Fund has allowed Art Café to purchase a substantial foundation of essential materials, including pencils, brushes, paints and other supplies. These resources will serve us well for years to come. Earlier this year the boys worked on a collaborative project to create a group portrait of all the staff at Merchant Taylors’ — an idea based on the work of Daumier. Thank you to all the brave staff who agreed to take part! Emerson Clifford (Divisions) says of his experience of Art Café: ‘I would describe Art Café as a place where I can go to practise and improve my art abilities by being taught and then trying techniques I have never used before. I think that Art Café is really useful, and it has a friendly atmosphere’.

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Friday Prayer With its award, Friday Prayer Club has been able to upgrade its facilities with the purchase of prayer mats and shoe racks. Friday Prayer is attracting growing interest in the school, with more boys joining the club. Benyamin Ahmed (Fifth Form) explains how the prayer mats have enhanced Friday Prayer: ‘’The new prayer mats are a great addition to the school. They’re comfortable and, because of their generous length, it’s much easier to roll them out and ensure everyone has a spot during Jummah. I also love how simple it is to roll them up into a neat circle, making them easy to carry, use and store. The design is nice, too, as well as being practical. Overall, these mats have definitely enhanced the prayer experience’.

Development