A Block Leavers’ Campaign 2017

Transforming the lives of children

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“The Dragon is a school which is about all of life – not class, not money, not pure academia, just wide, wide education. Any child would fit in to Dragon life - the A Block Bursary campaign allows that ‘any child’ to be found and given a chance to bring their own talents to grow the Dragon Life pot for the benefit of all.”

Simon and Lucinda Miesegaes, parents of Claira (OD 2009) and Jamie (OD 2015)

“The bursary campaign is such a fantastic opportunity for children who would otherwise not be able to access such a unique school. To make the most of such an opportunity the child needs to really want one of the places; not the parent, but the child.”

Past parent of bursary pupil (OD 2015)

“Ultimately, by donating towards a bursary, you are investing in the life of a child. And what better cause is there than that?”

Will Baker, bursary pupil (OD 2011)

Part of the continued magic of the Dragon is to be extraordinary in an ordinary way.

One hundred and forty years ago, Skipper Lynam (1887 to 1921), the Dragon’s legendary second Headmaster, believed children “of professional men of moderate means” should benefit from the Dragon’s radical and progressive education.

My own parents were of “moderate means”. Without others’ sacrifice and generosity, I would not have had the excellent education I received, nor had the privilege of helping to shape children’s lives as Headmaster of the Dragon. As I prepare to move on from the Dragon in 2017, I will look back on our Bursary Programme as one of the most worthwhile initiatives I have been involved with.

Building on that vision, the Dragon’s transformational bursary programme was launched in 2002. To date, 60 children have received bursarial support; 38 have been educated all the way through the School.

Almost all bursary pupils who have left the Dragon have moved on to leading independent schools with a full bursary. Seven pupils have been awarded a scholarship or an award. Our first bursary pupils are now moving on to university, with two Oxbridge undergraduates among them.

Help us inspire a new generation of Dragon bursary pupils to fulfil their potential and help the Dragon retain its unique, unstuffy and inspirational culture by including the bursary programme in your giving plans.

John BaughHeadmaster

The A Block Leavers’ CampaignTransforming the lives of children

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“Bursary pupils help to maintain the diverse character of the Dragon. Their enthusiasm, strong motivation and many gifts have a significant difference on the whole school community.”

Mary Taylor, Deputy Head, Social & Emotional Learning

Many causes demand your compassion, your attention and your donations. When you give, you want to make a difference: to change a life, or improve the world in some way.

We believe our safe, secure and happy environment helps our bursary pupils flourish and grow; we also believe our highly motivated bursary pupils enjoy and embrace all the opportunities offered to them and add to the rich diversity and unique character of the School.

So why the Dragon?

Your donation will support a child who has been selected in the same way your children were, on the merits of their personality, energy and passions. The only thing that prevents them from enjoying an independent education is financial constraint.

Maintaining the Magicbursary pupils enrich the Dragon

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“We have put four children through the Dragon, all different in ability and character. They all thrived and came out with a great sense of ‘I can’. Yes, it is lovely to be able to give another child all that the Dragon has to offer but equally, bursary places at the Dragon help to create a school within which my children were able to meet a mix of people and feel this tremendous sense of being able to do anything and create anything. To help another child to achieve that sense of ‘I can’ is a luxury that we appreciate as a family.”

Jane and Henry Tufnell, parents of Henry (OD 2005), Eleanor (OD 2007), Carlie (OD 2012) and Albi (OD 2015)

Launched at the lunch for leaving parents on 5th May 2017, during the 140th anniversary of the School, the A Block Leavers’ Campaign aims to raise £500,000 for bursaries in John Baugh’s final year - enabling the Dragon to fund five children all the way through the School.

Donations are ring-fenced. 100% of your gift goes towards transforming the life of a child and no funds raised are spent on administration. Not many charities can say the same.

Regular giving through standing orders or direct debits helps to secure the transformational bursary scheme for the future, and we welcome small, regular donations too.

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A Target of £500,000

“It is not often that an organisation has the ability to change a person’s life irrevocably; however, in our son’s case, the Dragon has. Without the bursary and the assistance of the Dragon, our son would have been on a very different life path, which would have resulted in gang culture integration and very tough life choices. He now has the opportunity and psychological tools to deal with situations and problems in a logical, thought-out manner and we believe he has the ability to reach levels of greatness.”

Parents of bursary pupil (OD 2015)

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• The value of a full bursary for a pupil for five years is £108,000• To fund one day child through the School next year will cost an estimated £19,800• To fund a boarding pupil for one year is approximately £29,000However, do bear in mind we usually ask bursary parents to make a contribution of 5% or more if they have the means.

During the annual A Block campaign, leavers’ parents have consistently funded more than half of our bursary pupils each year. Overall, they have contributed approximately two-thirds of all bursary funds received since 2002. This year, we are hoping to do the same.

Here are some of the ways you can support the campaign:

One-off gifts and pledgesA one-off gift is the simplest donation; many parents however choose to pledge a larger amount to be paid at a pre-determined date, or over several months or even years. We are also delighted to receive shares and can explain the procedure to you.

How can I Give?

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Regular givingOne-third of funds received annually are regular gifts from Old Dragons and past parents. Some give £10 a year or a month; others donate between £100 and £12,000 a year. Many have given over years, even decades. Setting up a standing order through your bank is quick and easy. Regular giving helps us plan forward and guarantees we can support at least one bursary pupil each year.

“The Dragon is such a unique school. The more children who can benefit from it, the better; that is why we are enthusiastic supporters of the transformational bursaries programme.”

Gordon and Dena McCallum, parents of Katharine (OD 2012) and

Alexander, current C Block pupil

The School’s bank details can be found on The Dragon School Trust Donation Form and on the back of this publication.

“There is simply no way we could consider our School to be one of the very best unless all capable children, regardless of ability to pay, had the chance of enjoying a Dragon education. For that, the Dragon needs the help of families who can support the bursary fund. We are more than happy to contribute.“

Jason and Christine Brueschke, parents of Thane (OD 2015) and Leiden, A Block

£

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The Useful but Dull Bit – Tax-Efficient Giving

We are sure many of you know about tax-efficient giving. But here’s a reminder.

The Dragon is a charitable trust. UK tax payers can claim back the difference between the basic rate tax and the higher rate of 40% and 45% tax. The Dragon can claim back 25% basic rate tax, and add it to the transformational bursary fund. *

If you wish to donate, you can consider the tax the Dragon can reclaim, and the tax you may be able to reclaim, in your calculations. A donation of £108,000, which would fund a day pupil starting in E Block all the way

through the School, would cost a donor entitled to claim back UK tax at 45% just £56,375.

US and European tax-payers can also donate tax efficiently. Further details can be provided by the Development Office.

You Give The Dragon Receives Cost to 40% Taxpayer Cost to 45% Taxpayer

£

50.00

100.00

1,000.00

5,000.00

10,000.00

80,000.00

100,000.00

£

62.50

125.00

1,250.00

6,250.00

12,500.00

100,000.00

125,000.00

£

37.50

75.00

750.00

3,750.00

7,500.00

60,000.00

75,000.00

£

34.38

68.75

687.50

3437,50

6,875.00

55,000.00

68,750.00

The cost of a donation for UK higher rate tax-payers who are able to reclaim tax

* Please seek professional advice on tax matters; if more tax is reclaimed than was paid, it is your responsibility to pay the difference.

Built on Benefaction

Our A Block Leavers’ Campaign asks you to remember the generosity of past parents and former Dragons.

The Dragon School was founded in 1877 with £2,000 raised from parents.

Since then, boarding houses, the swimming pool, the dining room and many other facilities have been funded or part-funded by donations. From the beginning, benefaction has been part of the culture of the School; and every Dragon has benefited from the generosity of parents, Old Dragons and former staff.

We know there are many demands on your funds and there are many worthy causes; you may have many financial commitments. We would be grateful if you would, however, consider supporting the next generation of Dragon bursary pupils and help us maintain the character of our school in your giving plans.

“I would definitely recommend applying for a bursary to attend the Dragon. My experiences at the Dragon will never be forgotten. The School has provided me with the best possible starting block as a child; an equal environment where I had the same opportunities as everyone else. I am currently taking a gap year, and I am looking forward to going to university next year to study automotive engineering. I hope to pursue a career in motorsport, especially Formula 1.”

Khalil Abouzeid (OD 2011), former bursary pupil

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“My best memories are making friends from all over the world, Sing Song, punting, the A Block party, Assembly and singing hymns, the fantastic play productions and the Dragon Christmas Sale. These are just a few. I am currently at an IB college and I hope to move on to Oxford or UCL for university. I want to study English and Portuguese Literature and hopefully find a way of working with and helping others as well as challenging myself daily. This has definitely been influenced by the Dragon.”

Robert Youngs Do Patrocinio (OD 2013), former bursary pupil

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Children develop their personalities and passions, and a strong moral compass at the Dragon. Whether from a family of privilege or not, Dragons leave the School with a set of core values that mean whatever they do, they are likely to make a positive impact on the world.

We can’t guarantee what our bursary pupils will go on to achieve in their lives, but we do believe, like all Dragons, that they will make a life-long positive contribution to society thanks to your generosity.

The Dragon School was built on benefaction and the generosity of Dragon parents who supported the original Oxford Preparatory School on the Bardwell Road site back in 1877.

Today, we ask you to build on the generosity of others.

Transforming a Child’s Future

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“The benefits a Dragon education has on a child are manifold and exceptional. I gained self-confidence, borne out of the ability to communicate with other pupils and staff on my own in an entirely new setting. From this, I also grew more independent, a skill that has been invaluable since. The triumph of the Dragon approach is its treatment of each pupil as a distinct individual with unique skills, abilities and aspirations. The all-encompassing Dragon education yields success both in and out of the classroom. I also gained a fantastic set of friends, some of whom I am still in touch with today, and a wonderful array of memories.”

Seamus Lavan (OD 2009), former bursary pupil now studying at Oxford University

“To have been given the bursary actually makes you quite special, therefore you need to take every opportunity and enjoy every minute. It is not just about intelligence, it’s more to do with being prepared to have a go at everything and give 100%. For me it was the best experience in the world. I would love to go back to Oxford and study Classics. I would also like to give something back to the Dragon in years to come.”

Dragon bursary pupil (OD 2015)

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“For me as a single mother, the Dragon gave me an inner peace in my heart, knowing that my son was receiving the best in all aspects; from pastoral care to academics. It was a dream. The Dragon to this day is the happiest place that I have ever known. It is magical and I will be forever grateful for the chances that it gave my boy.”

Mother of a bursary pupil (OD 2011)

“The cost of independent schools is in danger of throttling the creative mix within them. To maintain the wonderful world of creative and critical thought for which the Dragon is well known, you need a mix of pupils from different backgrounds and with far ranging academic ability.”

Jane and Henry Tufnell, parents of Henry (OD 2005), Eleanor (OD 2007), Carlie (OD 2012) and Albi (OD 2015)

Kindly note that the photographs used in this brochure are of Dragon pupils, and not specifically bursary pupils.

Jane Pendry, Head of DevelopmentDragon School, Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6SS

+44 (0)1865 315415jane.pendry@dragonschool.orgwww.dragonschool.org

The Dragon School Trust Ltd is registered as a charity; no 309676, and as a limited company, no 524331, at the above address.

“The Dragon gave me everything and more. Along with a fantastic education, it provided me with the tools that I need in further education and throughout my life. Following my gap year, I am going to university where I will read law. From there I intend to go to bar school to train to be a barrister.”

Dom Rosso (OD 2011), former bursary pupil now working

at the Dragon as an Assistant Teacher

“The Head Teacher of the local school suggested my daughter should apply for a Dragon bursary. Having this opportunity has changed our lives, not just my daughter’s. I am very proud.”

Mother of bursary pupil (OD 2011), now studying bio-medical sciences

at university

Bank: Barclays Sort code: 20-65-18 Account: 80330671 Account name: Dragon School Trust Ltd IBAN: GB52 BARC 2065 1880 3306 71 SWIFT: BARCGB22