Although the school site is now closed, STAHS has been busy sourcing resources to help the NHS. To date, STAHS has donated 300 pairs of goggles, 500 plastic aprons, 50 sets of disposable coveralls and 4,000 pairs of nitrile gloves to go to the NHS Harrow CCG for distribution to medics and care workers throughout Harrow and Brent. STAHS had already donated a supply of goggles to Harpenden doctors, which were gratefully received.
The School’s outstanding Design and Technology teachers have also been using school resources to produce multi-use, sterilisable visors for medics treating Covid-19 patients – so far they have produced over 900 visors using an innovative new process, and are hoping to make a further 200 in the coming weeks.
Additionally, many students and staff are volunteering in various roles to assist the NHS, on top of their study and work commitments to STAHS.
The NHS has not been the only beneficiary, with over 100kg of food from the school kitchens donated to
Open Door – a local homeless charity.
Head Amber Waite said: “None of us knows exactly what the coming weeks and months will bring, but we are all doing our best to adapt to a changing landscape. I am so proud of our community, and I know our collective efforts will ease the burden placed on those who continue to work hard so that we are all able to stay safe and well.”
Immediately after STAHS closed, Mrs Waite also wrote to the NHS offering the Senior School site to St Albans City Hospital should they require additional car parks for staff, facilities for equipment storage, or even classrooms for makeshift staff accommodation.
The School is also acutely aware of the financial difficulties that will be facing some parents. STAHS is working hard to ensure security for pupils – both of their education and providing some normality in this time of upheaval.
To help with this, the Governors have earmarked a fund in order to assist families who are facing short-term financial difficulties, to offer support to pupils to stay at STAHS. The fund is finite, but it is hoped that this will relieve some pressure and ensure that as many pupils as possible are able to stay at the school throughout Trinity term and beyond.
For more information about this fund, how it will support the STAHS community and for details of how to give, contact Mrs Waite directly on head@stahs.org.uk or email Louise Barnes (Development Manager) on barnesl@stahs.org.uk.