Walking Through the Years

Our whole school walks have become an annual tradition, reflecting our strong sense of community and shared purpose.

South Hampstead’s first whole-school walk took place in 2011, when all 625 Senior School girls undertook an ambitious ten-kilometre march from the school to Westminster in support of Plan International’s campaign Because I’m a Girl, raising awareness and funds for girls’ education in the developing world.  Students embraced the challenge with creativity and enthusiasm: selling T-shirts, key rings, badges and cupcakes; holding sponsored silences; and writing to MPs and members of the House of Lords in bright pink envelopes. On the day, pupils and teachers walked down Oxford Street chanting, “Wear pink to make you think!” and “£96 to send a girl to school – why support us? Because we’re girls!” Led by Headmistress Mrs Stephen, staff joined in wholeheartedly, organising a rock concert and baking a spectacular Because I’m a Girl cake to help fundraise. The walk proved to be far more than a physical journey; it raised nearly £60,000 – enough to educate 625 girls for a year – while strengthening connections within the school and encouraging pupils to reflect on global issues.

In recent years, the walk has become a much-loved annual fixture on the final day of the spring term. Staff, along with Senior and Junior School girls, have taken on a variety of routes along the Thames and through London’s Royal Parks, come rain or shine, always with good humour and a sense of camaraderie, whilst raising significant funds for charity.

This year, pupils and staff from across the school will take on a range of challenges before and during the walk as we launch our Community Giving Day on 25th/26th March in support of our 150th Anniversary Campaign. You can find out more about the Anniversary Campaign here. If you would like to sponsor the event, or suggest a challenge for the girls to complete during our 36-hour Community Giving Day, please get in touch.