Duchess Sophie visited Newman Catholic College, in Harlesden Road, on Wednesday (May 7), to celebrate the school’s gardening club, community foodbank and community garden.
The visit was arranged through the London Children’s Flower Society, of which the duchess is a patron.
She was welcomed into the school by Mei Sim Lai OBE, Representative Deputy Lieutenant of Brent and the school’s headteacher Andrew Dunne, as well as council representatives and school governors.
During the morning she met pupils including the head boy and head girl and also Apollo, the school’s therapy dog.
HRH Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the Children’s Flower Society, met Newman Catholic College’s community, the Mayor of Brent and other council representatives and far right Mei Sim Lai, Representative Deputy Lieutenant of Brent (Image: Amanda Rose/@amandarosephoto)
She was given a tour of the school including its memorial garden and front lawn, and was introduced to students actively involved in the school’s Sixth Form Enrichment Gardening Club.
A special moment followed as The Duchess planted commemorative ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’ chrysanthemum flowers and a potted ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’ clematis to symbolise her continued support for the London Children’s Flower Society and for Newman Catholic College.
She also discovered that the community garden shares its produce with the NCC and Sufra foodbanks, and is run by local volunteers.
Her Royal Highness accepted a donation of strawberry jam, which had been made by foodbank volunteers.
Headteacher Andrew Dunne said: “We were so pleased that Her Royal Highness came to recognise the work of staff and students both in the school grounds and in our community endeavours.
“The Duchess spent a lot of time in conversation with individuals taking a keen interest in their work, and she showed great knowledge of inner city education.
“It was a great experience for our students to meet her and share the story of Newman Catholic College with such pride.”
