St. Damian’s Traditions
Share Day is a significant highlight of the school calendar that staff and pupils look forward to with great anticipation and much excitement. This respected tradition, which has spanned many generations, is the true embodiment of ‘The St Damian’s Way’, the spirit of generosity and service to others. Fortunate to be blessed with a remarkable community, we work together united, to celebrate, have fun and raise money for charitable causes. A key feature of our planned activities is the walk, or for the more athletic ones amongst us, the run up to the top of Hartshead Pike. Our neighbours and friends wave and cheer as pupils and staff dress up in a range of disguises and race each other to the top!
This remarkable historical event has generated thousands of memorable photographs over time and created many life-long memories. No doubt, many generations will continue to look forward to Share Day in the years to come too. Preparations for Share Day usually begin at the start of July, when each form begins their fundraising activities in earnest in advance of the day itself and then culminate in Share Day itself in the final week of term.
Using our Talents
Share Day strongly reminds us of ‘The Parable of The Talents’ [Matthew 25: 14-30]. God gives each of us talents and wants us to use them. Our gifts are tools to be used, and we are entrusted with building others up through our blessings. The Share Day challenge also involves the spirit of enterprise. Form groups are given £10 and are asked to become budding entrepreneurs to grow this money through creative and innovative ideas so that it quickly becomes a much larger sum of money. Ideas have ranged from talent shows, car washes and hand-made jewellery sales to film viewings and competitions, to mention just a few.
Over the years we are proud to have raised thousands of pounds for charitable causes. We have generously supported charities such as Macmillan Cancer support, Mind, The Anthony Seddon Fund, Willow Wood Hospice, Cerebral Palsy United FC, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. Alongside helping those in need, Share Day is about making memories for pupils that will last a lifetime!