Primary Schools Initiative

CLAVERHOUSE ROTARY AND AL MAKTOUM COLLEGE UNITE TO SUPPORT DUNDEE PRIMARY SCHOOLS

The Rotary Club of Claverhouse and the Al Maktoum College of Higher Education have combined resources to raise £13,000 for donations to 10 Dundee Primary Schools, to pay for items  essential to the development and welfare of their pupils and families.

Schools have worked industriously to try to finance everything needed for both the educational and welfare needs of their children.  At the same time, more and more families are finding it difficult to make ends meet as living costs continue to rise, affecting the wellbeing of both parents and children alike in many homes.

Schools have imaginatively planned how to best use the funds raised from this initiative to meet the priority needs of the children and families they serve. Activities range from upskilling school children to learn how to swim, introducing lending libraries to inspire children to read, organising educational visits to memorable places to provide learning through fun and more.

The supply of clothing and uniforms, the provision of food and clothing vouchers and supporting families with funds to cover energy costs are examples of how monies will also be used to address the welfare and wellbeing needs of pupils and families requiring support.

Deputy Head Teacher, Carolyn Lothian explained “The money will be used at our school to organise a day when children and parents take part in a Sandwich Making Day in a fun and interactive way  to upskill everyone and  promote more healthy and affordable eating choices. Another day will be devoted to a family outing to the Botanic Gardens to teach everyone about the enjoyment and satisfaction of planting and growing greens to provide food for the table”

Abi Abubaker, Head of College at the Al Maktoum College of Higher Education, said “Engaging with the wider community of Dundee is an integral part of the college’s vision and ethos.  Therefore we were more than willing to support local primary schools in this way. This initiative gives us an ideal springboard to support schools, teachers, pupils and guardians in their endeavours to create an exciting environment for teaching and learning.  Every child matters and we are pleased to play a role in ensuring that youngsters have the best possible start in life, regardless of background and circumstances.”

These feelings were echoed by Bob Black, Community Services Convenor of Claverhouse Rotary Club, who commented “ Our children are our rock on which the future will be built and are our greatest asset.  Children will thrive when given opportunities to learn and develop.  Their happiness and success come from both the school and home, which both need to be supported during these challenging times.  Rotary and Al Maktoum College are not going to stop here.  We are planning to roll out this initiative to more schools in Dundee to reach more pupils and families.”

Photo:  Planning meeting, held at Al Maktoum College, between Primary School teachers and:

Robert Burns, President, and Bob Black, Community Services Convenor, of the Rotary Club of Claverhouse (3^rd and 6^th from the left).

Abi Abubaker, Head of College, and Jim Barrie, Member of College Council, at the Al Maktoum College of Higher Education. (3^rd and 6^th from the right).