PRESIDENT ELECT PAYS VISIT TO SCHOOL.
During a recent holiday in South Africa, President-Elect Ray Edwardson paid a visit to Newclare School to see for himself the new library our club is supporting. Read his report here:
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Report on visit to school:
At the end of May, Sharon and I, along with close friends Angela and Neil Finch, had the privilege of visiting Newclare Primary School to see first hand how our financial support to date has enhanced just a small part of the school yet enriched the lives of many of its 968 learners. The new library area is fantastic and a credit to Maureen and others who worked so hard to create it using the money that we set to them.
In a deprived area on the outskirts of Johannesburg, surrounded by drugs and associated gun crime, the school functions with limited resources; the teachers are committed and the learners appear content, although most are having their lessons in classrooms built primarily of asbestos. There is still much to be done.The teachers' vision for the future is to extend the newly refurbished library area to become a Learning Resource Centre with an IT area, tables and chairs where the learners can do their homework and private study, and a soft seating area where they can just relax and read, removed from the troubles outside.
So, looking ahead, our fundraising will continue under the supervision of our International Team throughout the coming Rotary year 2024-25. Perhaps we could consider partnering with a local Rotary Club in South Africa and apply for a 'Global Grant' from the Rotary Foundation?
The new area in the next phase will require some minor construction work, redecoration and furnishing, not to mention the provision of laptops.
In the meantime, Byrchall High School in Ashton-in-Makerfield has already embarked upon a literacy partnership, including a planned essay competition, with each of the schools' learners recommending books for the others' to read. Letters have been exchanged and new remote friendships forged.
As I prepare to begin my year as President of Rotary Newton-le-Willows I feel confident that we can give further financial support to make the vision a reality, and I am looking forward to another visit, hopefully in 2025, to see the progress!
Ray Edwardson
06/06/2024
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SUPPORTING NEWCLARE PRIMARY SCHOOL SOUTH AFRICA
back Latest photographs showing students using the new library.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
An update from President Ray on things Rotary and things that are happening within the club.
moreThe following plan was presented at Club assembly for our support to International projects this Rotary year
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Our club has set up a new service team for this coming year and we shall shortly be announcing our first project.
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Our major club project is supporting Newclare Primary School, Johannesburg, Use the links to see the story so far.
moreThe following plan was put to our club assembly for working with the community.
moreThis is a new group formed during the last Rotary year.23/24 Its remit is to look at how we move the club forward and recruit a more diverse membership
moreEach month Rotary will have a monthly theme and our club will try to get involved in projects that embrace these themes.
moreThe Youth Service Team will be involved in the following initiatives as agreed at our club assembly.
moreProviding Rotary Service to International Communities. The following programme has been agreed at club assembly.
moreThe Executive Committee has presented its plans for the coming year. The role of the executive is to oversee the service functions of the club.
moreIn the Rotary year 23/24 we have supported the following organisations.
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