The headteachers of two local schools said receiving an anonymous multi-million pound gift was one of the most extraordinary days in their schools’ histories.
Ladies’ College Principal Daniele Harford-Fox told Express the gift was “transformational”.
Elizabeth College Principal Jenny Palmer said she was “shocked” by the “unexpected” news.
Ms Harford-Fox said: “It feels like one of the most extraordinary days in our history, and I don’t think that there are many schools in the world that will have had somebody step forward like this and offer this kind of support.
“It provides us with that financial stability, it provides us with the ability to pass that money back to the states and it also provides us an opportunity to give children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access these schools access.”
The principals said that they were both approached separately by former Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache, to set up a meeting.
Mrs Palmer said: “I was just shocked because it was so unexpected.
“You know, people book meetings and come and talk to us, but when Peter came in and said that there is a philanthropist and they want to make an offer to support the college, I was like, ‘Wow, this this is unbelievable!'”
It took a while to sink in.
Jenny Palmer, Elizabeth College Principal
Ms Harford Fox added: “I remember after Peter left, I was just sort of sitting. I didn’t even get up. I was sitting on the chair in my office, and my PA came in and she asked what the meeting was about and I said, ‘I just think I’ve had a meeting that will change the future of the school’.
“You don’t expect somebody to give this kind of a gift, without any desire to control or to want to be named, so that’s quite an emotional thing to believe that someone is like that, and I think it’s an extraordinary gift for the colleges and for the island.
‘Emotional moment’
Although the philanthropist wishes to remain anonymous to the colleges, Ms Harford Fox said that if she ever did meet them she would “burst into tears”.
“I had support in order to be able to access the education I did, which changed my life, going to the right school can change lives.
“This is a multi-generational gift that will impact so many children – and I think that is a very emotional moment.”
Mrs Palmer added: “Thank you. Just an absolutely massive thank you because it is it is remarkable and incredible and quite unusual.”
