School sets $20K target to meet priority needs

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This article was published 27/04/2024 (869 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Christian Heritage School sought the support of parents and the community to help meet its three top-priority needs at its annual fundraiser dinner on Thursday evening at the Victoria Inn.

The school’s immediate priorities include upgrading the rooftop heating and cooling system, replacing windows and acquiring newer bus transportation. To generate part of the funds needed, a variety of items were auctioned at the event, ranging from egg chair cushions and folding chairs to bicycles, work tools and kitchen utensils.

Board president Michel Latreille said while the estimated cost of the projects is unknown, as the school is still looking at quotes, the school had set a target to address the short- and medium-term needs of the school.

“Our priority is to raise about $20,000 from the dinner because of the urgency in addressing the needs,” Latreille told the Sun. “I am genuinely excited about the opportunities ahead, especially in the upcoming season. We require constant improvements and upgrades to meet evolving needs.”

Thanks to generous support from community partners like mobile and independent contributors, the school has already replaced eight windows, representing about a quarter of the total, he said.

The school is exploring the purchase of a new yellow school bus, suitable for transporting a significant number of students, along with a 15-passenger van for more flexible city transportation.

Cities Church Brandon senior pastor Ben Karuhije said there is a critical need for partnership between Brandon churches and the school, noting the transformative role of educational institutions like CHS.

“Education is not just about imparting knowledge — it’s about shaping character and instilling values that guide students throughout their lives,” Karuhije told the Sun. “Supporting such schools is an investment in the transformation of hearts and minds, fundamental for our communities’ future.”

CHS principal Daniel Cowell, in his inaugural fundraiser, outlined some of the challenges the institution faces as a Christian school.

“One of them is the distinct nature of our student body compared to public schools. Parents actively choose to financially invest in their children’s education by enrolling them here,” he said.

Cowell said while about 50 per cent of the school’s funding comes from the government, it also relies on support from various fundraising events throughout the year and its annual golf tournament.

He expressed gratitude for the generosity of donors who contribute to the school’s mission, noting the major impact of their contributions on the institution’s success.

The fundraiser dinner, he said, served as a testament to the enduring impact of CHS on its students and the wider community.

Former CHS student Josiah Smith, a member of the graduating class of 2022, shared poignant reflections on the impact of CHS on his life.

“Initially struggling with behavioural issues and lacking direction, the dedication of the teachers and the school’s nurturing environment transformed me,” Smith told the Sun. “The supportive community at CHS believed in me when others might have given up, leading to significant personal growth.”

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