HRH Prince of Wales visits Yavneh College in Borehamwood to hear about their work in the community

Yavneh College, in Borehamwood, has been recognised for its outstanding work in the community by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis who invited HRH Prince Charles to visit the school today (February 1).

Prince Charles was given a guided tour around the school visiting different areas showcasing all the different work the students do to help the community.

Rabbi Avrohom Zeidman works for a Hendon-based charity called GIFT who give gifts to children with special needs and welcomed the Prince of Wales to make a balloon crown.

Rabbi Zeidman said: “GIFT tries to help young people to get involved in volunteering and giving to the community.

“We give our all gifts to children with special needs mainly around London. The crown made by Prince Charles will be given to one of the children.

“Knowing the crown was made by the Prince himself will make the child very happy.”

Hayley Simon, head of Jewish studies at Yavneh College, who was packing food to give to families for Tu B'Shevat.

Tu B’Shevat is the fifteenth day of the Jewish month of Shevat and is also known as the New Year for Trees.

She said: “Prince Charles packed his own box and joked asking if all the ingredients were Kosher.

“These food packages will be given to people all across North West London.”

His Royal Highness visited the technology rooms where he spoke to students who were building phone cases to give to children admitted to the children’s ward in Watford General Hospital – the school’s charity of the year last year.

Prince Charles also visited the technology room where many students had made food that will be donated to Borehamwood Foodbank.

Food technology teacher Angie Pettengell said: “It was a real honour to have His Royal Highness visit us.

“Some of the students were hoping he would taste some of the food.”

The Prince of Wales also spoke with 14-year-old Keshet Dor who was the recipient of the Young Person of the Year Award.

Keshet said Prince Charles asked about the volunteering she did and congratulated her on her award.

HRH also met Yavneh students involved in the Jewish Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade (JLGB) from several of its groups across Hertfordshire.

JLGB, which was founded in 1895, is part of both the Youth United network, and Step up to Serve #iwill campaign of which HRH is their Patron. Youth United funded the new JLGB Shenley Junior group and JLGB Yavneh Band.

The tour ended with a special assembly where the Prince of Wales was given a special painting by an Israeli artist.

Speaking at the assembly, Prince Charles said: “I am immensely grateful for allowing me to visit this school which I have heard about from the Chief Rabbi who suggested I should come see it.

“Yavneh College is a remarkable place and I am very impressed with all the work the students do for the community.

“I am sure a lot of the students will go on to do some great things and I look forward to seeing more and more of you.

“I wish all of you the best of luck and I thank you for making me welcome here. Good luck with everything.”

Speaking following the visit, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said, “Today is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Yavneh College.

“It is also a day to recognise the invaluable contribution that so many excellent faith schools make to life in modern Britain.”

“In a context where faith communities often feel that there is a lack of appreciation for the invaluable role that their schools play in creating a fairer society, the presence of His Royal Highness at Yavneh College, which is among the most outstanding faith schools, provides us with an opportunity to celebrate faith as a powerful force for good.”

Head Teacher, Spencer Lewis, said: “It has been an enormous privilege to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales to Yavneh College and the best possible tribute to the staff and pupils who epitomise what we call the ‘Yavneh Way’.

“I was particularly proud to show how the fantastic work that our students do in the local and wider communities are not only done out of a sense of social responsibility but also out of an understanding that improving the world around them is a fundamental axiom of Jewish belief. This, coupled with our academic success, has been the hallmark of Yavneh College over the last ten years.”

Local dignitaries were also invited to the event including Dione Grimston, Countess of Verulam, Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden and Mayor of Hertsmere Peter Rutledge.

Mr Dowden said: “It was a pleasure to welcome His Royal Highness to Hertsmere today.

“He got to see first-hand what a fantastic school we have in Yavneh.

“It was a very special day for staff and pupils alike and as the Chief Rabbi said will be cherished for years to come.”