Community Involvement

Turnbull students work together each year to raise funds for three charitable organizations and learn the importance of contributing to both the local and wider communities. These campaigns have become highly anticipated annual events, and new initiatives are created each year. Students develop the creativity, team work and organizational skills necessary to run a successful campaign.

Active Citizenship

Our students become caring citizens through campaigns for United Way Ottawa each fall, Help Lesotho, where they are twinned with the children in an African school, and The Ottawa Hospital through the Family Walk/Run each spring.

In addition, our Grade 7 and 8 students participate individually in local volunteer service to learn the value of being actively involved and making a personal commitment to helping their community become a better place for all. They are well prepared for the volunteer component of their high school program and already have seen the value of community service from their time at Turnbull School.

Students participate in a ‘Pearl Bee’ to raise funds for children in Lesotho.

Recognition

Turnbull students are recognized in the community for their contribution and eagerness to make a difference. Annually since 1998 we have been the “Top Fundraising School” for the National Capital Race Weekend.

• In 2000, Turnbull School students were honoured to receive the Community Builder Award from the United Way and it read “thank you for making a real difference, for building a stronger, more caring community for all of us”.
• In 2007 we were so proud of one of our graduates, Kristyn Ross, for achieving the same award for the community work she continued to do during high school. She had been one of our student leaders in our United Way and The Ottawa Hospital campaigns and carried that spirit of social responsibility, as so many Turnbull students have, with her into high school.
• In 2008 the Ottawa Hospital honoured our students with an “Inspiration Award” for their enthusiastic and substantial contribution to our neighbourhood hospital.
• The 2015 campaign saw Turnbull School surpass the half million dollar mark in giving to The Ottawa Hospital.
• In 2016, Turnbull School surpassed the one million dollar mark in total charitable fundraising. Mayor Jim Watson honoured this achievement on April 16, 2016 with “Turnbull School – A Million Reasons to Celebrate Day”.
• The United Way also honoured Turnbull School at their 2016 Community Builder of the Year Awards with the Community Impact 2015 Award.
• In 2017, Turnbull School was added to the Wall of Inspiration (2016) at Ottawa City Hall.
• The Ottawa Hospital presented Turnbull School with the 2017 Spirit of the Run Award in recognition and appreciation of our continued support and inspiring dedication to the hospital.