Former Bursary Student Returns to Help Raise Funds for the Next Generation

When Joey Green walked back through the doors of Highfield and Brookham School recently, it was as an artist in his own right. Exhibiting his work alongside 47 others at a three-day charity art exhibition that raised £14,954 for the very fund that helped change his life.

The event took place from Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th May at Highfield and Brookham School in Liphook, with the school’s theatre transformed into a light and airy gallery space for the occasion. A preview evening on the Thursday opened proceedings before the exhibition welcomed families, former pupils and the wider local community across the remaining days.

Featuring works by local artists, teachers, parents, previous Art Scholars and current pupils, the exhibition showcased over 250 paintings across 48 artists, a remarkable display of artistic talent from across the school community.

One of the most celebrated highlights of the exhibition was a series of nine collaborative artworks, each created by a different year group within the school. The pieces, several produced alongside professional artists including Olga Houghton, Milly Green, Christian de Ferranti, Minnie Wates, Wendy Richards, Tamsin Pearson and Joey Green, were auctioned in a silent auction, raising an incredible £2413.

Perhaps the most poignant of these collaborations was that of Year 8, who worked with artist Joey Green; a story that embodies everything the Highfield School Centenary Bursaries Fund stands for. Joey was one of the earliest recipients of a bursary at Highfield and has since gone on to remarkable things: he earned an art scholarship to Bryanston School and is now studying at the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London. Returning to Highfield to run a workshop with current pupils and create a collaborative piece with Year 8, while also exhibiting his own work as an artist at the exhibition, was a truly full circle moment, and a powerful testament to what the Fund can make possible.

Suzannah Cryer, Head of Highfield and Brookham School, reflected on the deeper significance of the event: “In a world that moves so fast, there is something truly precious about stopping, standing still and taking the time to really look at and deeply appreciate art. It engages us in a way that little else can and to be able to do that while also supporting such an incredible cause makes this exhibition all the more special. The generosity of our artists, our community and our sponsors never ceases to amaze me, and I could not be prouder of everything this event represents.”

All proceeds from the silent auction, along with 30% of all sales from the wider exhibition, were donated to the Highfield School Centenary Bursaries Fund. Established in 2007, the Fund supports children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend an independent school, with bursaries covering school fees as well as additional support for music lessons, sports equipment, school trips and uniform.

The school expressed its sincere gratitude to the event’s four generous sponsors: Fettle & Fork, Fever Tree, Candover Brook and Howden Reinsurance Brokers. Their support was instrumental in making the exhibition such a success.

Highfield and Brookham has awarded 24 bursaries since the Fund’s inception. The bursaries are designed not only to support children academically, but physically, emotionally and socially, helping them build lifelong skills and lasting relationships. Joey Green’s story is perhaps the finest example of exactly that.