What a Year!

On July 14, we were delighted to host the five Buttsbury RotaKids’ officers, (the Core 5), Headteacher Ann Robinson and Assistant Headteacher Stacey Barnes (both corporate members) to lunch to give us their annual presentation on what they had achieved this year.

We weren’t the only audience members.  We had guests too.  Gareth Roberts Head Teacher from Stock Primary School where we had just chartered a new RotaKids club, and also two members of Brentwood a Becket Rotary Club who were intending to sponsor a new RotaKids club at a local school in the Autumn.
As guests of honour, the RotaKids had their own table with Headteacher Ann Robinson, Stacey Barnes, School Governor and Billericay Rotary member Les Sheppard, and Stock Primary Head Gareth Roberts.

Most Impressed

After lunch, RotaKids officers President Freya, Vice-President Lola, Secretary Summer-Rose,  Treasurer Theo, and Public Relations Officer Kaitlin introduced themselves. and took it in turns to take us through their presentation, speaking clearly and referring only occasionally to their notes.  Everybody could hear them easily.  So impressive!

Dogged Enthusiasm

They started by explaining that they had voted for the Dogs Trust to be their charity of choice for this last year, and then went through the activities they had undertaken to raise money for this and other charities.  They were extremely honoured that they were judged the children best able to represent the school in such prestigious roles.

They oversee the school council/Rotakids club comprising members from every class in the school, elected by ballot by their classes, and who help the Core 5 take decisions.

Raised So Much Money!

The Christmas Show raised £417.  However, the real gold mine was the Hula Hoop (or Hoopla) competition where every student competed to complete the most “rotations” in one minute.  Both the infants and the Junior schools took part, and this raised an amazing £5780.25.  (If only we could raise so much money for charity from one event - Editor).

On top of this, they organised an “Enterprise Day” (see earlier report) which raised another £1709.31 in just 45 minutes of frenetic activity.

In total, they raised over £7900 for the Dogs Trust, and took the opportunity to visit their local headquarters.

Even More Money!

But this was not the only charity they supported.  

• Young Minds - They had a “Hello Yellow” yellow dress day, where everybody could make a donation to come to school dressed in yellow clothes.  This raised £478.
• Cancer Research - Not yellow , but wear something purple.  this raised £446.16
• Children in Need -  For this BBC initiative they raised a further £744.82
• Comic Relief - their efforts to “Take Yourself Funny for Money” raised £1620.36

So how much did these outstanding Rotakids raise?  An inspring record amount of over £11,000

Service Above Self

This Rotary Motto also exemplifies the ethos of the RotaKids.  Not only did they raise money but also undertook other projects for the community.  They have been a “Dementia Friendly” school since 2020, and have continued this work including visits to the Human Kind Cafe and the Memory Cafe, but also to the Billericay Food Bank. 

Finally, they are so proud of winning their fifth Rotary Excellence Award in a row!  

Impressed by their Achievements

It was a fun-filled year in which they demonstrated the Rotary ideals of fellowship and service. President Nick thanked them for their presentation which we all found so impressive, congratulated them on their achievements, and proposed the vote of thanks for all that they had achieved, and the professional quality of their presentation.  

There was unanimous applause from all Rotarians assembled there.

A last word from Buttsbury Junior School Headteacher Ann Robinson, who said they did a great job and she was very proud of them.  They really enjoyed the occasion.

We were all most impressed by their completely professional performance despite their young age!

Awesome!