We have done it! The York High School Chromebooks project is Complete!

Inspiring and educational in more ways than one. It was a fascinating visit to York High School on Thursday 26^th February, when two groups of Rotarians from RC York Vikings and York were welcomed into York High School by Headteacher Gavin Kumar, to officially hand over the new Chromebooks we had funded and to make arrangements for their labelling. The visits were much more than a handover as we were treated to a full tour of the School, felt the tangible energy, walked along clean and bright corridors, met various members of Staff and saw the refurbished Reflection Room with its docking stations and Chromebooks - and students using them. Wow!

It seemed no time at all since Mary Lumley and I visited York High School in November 2024 and accepted the challenge to fund a set of Chromebooks, headphones and a charging station to enable meaningful learning in “Reflection”, the School’s space for those who have committed misdemeanours. Phase 1, completed in September 2025, had involved York Rotarians’ generous donations and a sum from the Youth Services budget, as well as £500 from each of RCs York Ainsty & Vikings. Phase 2 commenced with a joint District Grant application between York and Vikings Youth Services Teams and there was significant input from Vikings Rotarians. With Grant success and further donations, we suddenly found ourselves able to ask Treasurer Nigel to send over the final sum in late November 2025. Unimaginable success!

Having received the donations, the School had to go to tender for such a big purchase. Three tenders were considered and the winner has supplied 30 Chromebooks with 3 docking / charging stations and a contract to repair each device up to 5 times per year for the next 5 years. A win: win. 

The School has a dynamic Headteacher and very able, creative staff who are determined to meet the needs of the pupils (educational and practical) and to earn respect from the local and wider communities. Do not be surprised to see York High School’s League Table position improve in the coming years.                                                                                                            

Eileen Davis