'Work of each for weal of all' in action
Community-minded students and staff at Bedales held a series of celebrations inspired by founder John Haden Badley in September, raising over £1,000 in support of the John Badley Foundation (JBF) – which funds full bursaries for students otherwise unable to consider a Bedales education – and contributing to a variety of impactful projects around the School.
Badley Day is an annual community day which sees students, staff and parents come together in the Autumn term to practise the School’s founding principle, ‘work of each for weal of all’. This simple phrase emphasises the idea that by working together – contributing individually as well as collaboratively – everyone can contribute to the wellbeing of the whole community, whether at school or beyond.
At Bedales Senior, students chose from a range of sponsored challenges designed to foster teamwork and test endurance. The School grounds buzzed with energy on 18 September as students dashed across the Steephurst pitches in a vibrant colour run and competed in a Tough Mudder-style group challenge around the school’s 120-acre estate. For those preferring a more reflective pace, a puzzle walk offered the chance to solve clues along a scenic route to the Poet’s Stone in the nearby Ashford Hangers.
As in previous years, students and staff also had the opportunity to get involved in a variety of Outdoor Work projects, from splitting logs for the School’s fireplaces and tending hedgerows to harvesting apples and foraging ingredients for homemade jam.
A particularly moving moment came when Valeriia, a Ukrainian student supported by the John Badley Foundation, shared her story during a special Badley Day assembly. Valeriia spoke to students and staff about her experiences growing up in Ukraine, her passion for learning, and her family’s journey to the UK after the outbreak of war in 2022. She described herself as diligent and creative, but most importantly, grateful for the opportunities she has at Bedales and the love she feels for the School and its community.
For the School’s younger students, Badley celebrations began on 13 September when students and staff at the Pre-prep worked together in the Orchard to improve the School’s outdoor space and support a variety of other projects. Activities included cleaning the greenhouse, preparing apples for chutney, and planting rosemary, sage and other herbs for future gardening and cookery projects.
The following morning at Bedales Prep, students, staff and parents gathered to tackle practical projects around the School. From constructing an art installation inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s Obliteration Room to clearing the Outdoor Work area, their efforts reflected the spirit of teamwork and creativity. The morning was also an opportunity to simply celebrate the strength of the School community, with collaborative music performances in the outdoor theatre, face painting and a delicious lunch prepared by the School’s Catering team. The event concluded with a walk to the Poet’s Stone, a rite of passage for every Bedalian.
Head of Bedales Will Goldsmith commented: “Badley Day is a powerful reminder of the strength of our community and the impact we can make when we come together with a shared purpose. Whether through physical challenges, creative projects or practical outdoor initiatives, our students and staff demonstrated values that lie at the heart of Bedales: collaboration, responsibility and a commitment to making a positive difference.”
