Learning to Care for Others: Jeans for Genes Day

Eaton House Belgravia boys clearly love their favourite jeans. As they sat in the hall this morning, there was every kind of denim imaginable – from designer denim in grey, black and blue, to cut-off shorts and even one pair of jeans with designer holes in the knees. Mr Brendan still wore a suit, but Mr Charlie wore his denims, albeit with a smart work shirt and tie. As you may have guessed, this was all for a great charity cause – Jeans for Genes Day, the annual fundraising campaign for Genetic Disorders UK, a national charity that supports individuals and families.

Jeans for Genes Day is all about raising money to help some of the most vulnerable people in the UK. By paying a donation of £2, the boys will help to transform the lives of families affected by a genetic condition. By wearing jeans, the school will help fund projects that provide nursing care, equipment, activity weekends, online support and counselling.

As this was a Merit Assembly, the boys were also receiving awards and prizes and learning about the House Points system. As with charity giving, Eaton House Belgravia is very keen on the boys playing an active part in society. Members of the School Council were introduced and stood up. Mr Brendan explained the concept of ‘democracy’ and that the School Council is designed to highlight ‘what you want and what is going badly, or what things are going well and what things are going not so well – and it is your chance to change them.’

This is a ‘one person, one vote system’ he said, as ‘we are a democracy at Eaton House Belgravia, just as the UK is a democratic country.’ All the boys could give ideas and participate, he said, simply by going and talking to their School Council class rep.

Stepping up, charity and participation is a big part of Eaton House Belgravia life, and always has been. One boy is commended for being ‘so kind and helpful to others’ illustrating the point. At Eaton House Belgravia, charity and community are very important. Boys are always taught the importance of being mindful and sensitive to community issues, and encouraged to lend a hand wherever they can.

In keeping with their Christmas tradition, on Thursday 5 December, the choir will sing carols in Sloane Square in aid of the Royal Marsden hospital. Our boys always look the epitome of Christmas in their red and green uniforms and they will sing a fine selection of carols that bring merriment and cheer to the festive crowds.

For Harvest Festival each year we support the charity The Passage, which runs London’s largest voluntary-sector resource centre for homeless and vulnerable people. They help up to 200 men and women every day. In past years, Belgravia Pre-Prep parents and boys have rallied with generous donations of non-perishable food items such as tinned fish, tinned hot dogs, tinned soups, casseroles and stews, tinned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, tea, coffee, shaving foam and new socks. We are just waiting to hear what essential items The Passage would like to receive this year.

Boys are taught that being kind and generous to others is essential, as part of a life well lived. Those character traits are developed by giving back where they can, and the boys are always so pleased and excited to help.

These are big life lessons that will stand them in good stead forever.