Celebrating 20 years of belonging across Habs Trust South

On Friday 3 July, our nine schools came together to celebrate a very special milestone: 20 years of Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South.

To mark this anniversary, every school hosted its own Festival of Belonging – a day dedicated to celebrating the people, stories and communities that make our Trust special. Each school created its own unique programme of activities, bringing pupils, staff and families together through creativity, sport, music, culture and reflection.

From performances and exhibitions to competitions, creative workshops and celebrations, the day showcased the incredible talents and achievements of our pupils while highlighting the strong sense of connection that runs through all nine schools.

A particularly special moment was the Belonging Time Capsule Ceremony held at each school. These capsules captured the voices, hopes and memories of our communities in 2026, preserving a snapshot of life across Habs Trust South for future generations to discover. They will serve as a reminder of our shared journey and the part everyone has played in shaping our story.

The day also marked another significant milestone for our Trust family, with Hatcham College celebrating its 150th anniversary. Guests included former pupils and colleagues were able to reconnect, explore the school and revisit familiar places and how they've developed into Hatcham today. Special exhibitions featuring photographs, artefacts and stories from the school archives were on display at both sites. Current pupils enjoyed speaking with alumni who recorded their own memories for Hatcham's archives. The College’s long and proud history reflects the enduring impact that our schools have on generations of children and young people.

Belonging Festivals 3 July 2026

As part of the anniversary celebrations, pupils from across our Trust came together to create a very special song, Together We Rise. Written by pupils from our primary schools and Haberdashers’ Borough Academy, the song captures what belonging means to them – friendship, ambition, courage and the strength that comes from being part of something bigger.

Different voices, just one song,
Together we know that we belong.

The song is a wonderful example of our ‘From 3 to Forever’ ethos in action, bringing together pupils from across our schools to celebrate their shared identity and the opportunities that come from learning together.

Thank you to all our pupils, families, staff, governors and partners who have contributed to our journey over the past 20 years. Together, we have built a Trust community where every child can dream, grow and create.

We look forward to the next chapter of our story.