Presenting Their Achievements Over Zoom

On Monday, July 13 at our business meeting, we were privileged to see over ZOOM a major presentation by the RotaKids of Buttsbury Junior School.  Despite the odd hiccup with sound, their representative officers came over loud and succinct to all our Members and “visiting” PDG Peter Dowse.

Backed up by an excellent slide show showing their progress and, as President of Buttsbury Junior School RotaKids and School Council Izzy Cheesman announced: “Today we’ll tell you about this last year and all the exciting things we’ve done, and the challenges we have faced.”  Izzy (Isabel) was supported by Ava Wilkins, Secretary of the school RotaKids who added: “Despite our year and ability to carry out some events planned being cut short by a third, in true Buttsbury style, we still have lots to share with you”.

Applications Agreed

They explained their year, starting with appointment of the officers - anybody from Year 6 could apply, but their applications had to be read by teachers who then chose the best candidates.  Anybody in the rest of the school who wanted to be part of RotaKids and on the School Council, then wrote a speech read out in class and each class voted for two representatives.  Izzy said:” We were so pleased and honoured to have been chosen from those who applied.”

“In November one of our first fund raising events was to take part in Children In Need” Ava told us. Izzy added: “ We dressed up as we wanted to be when we grew up and even managed to get the teachers involved too.”

Giant PE Lesson

We also took part in Joe Wicks “Big Morning Move” said Ava, “Like a giant PE lesson with all of year groups!” School councillors helped promote the event and voted on how the children and teachers should dress. “We raised a fantastic £565 for Children In Need.  And everyone had a brilliant day” said Izzy.

“The Rotakids (and some teachers) had helped Rotary sell its Raffle tickets at last year’s Christmas Market.  We all had a brilliant time and loved encouraging members of the public to buy tickets.  A fantastic day and everyone got into the Christmas spirit.”

RotaKids’ other activities included:

• Organising Sport Relief in March, “We all dressed up in our favourite sportswear. Highlight was the dance workshops. We raised a fantastic £394.”
• Gaining the Dementia Friendly Schools Award. (see separate report).  “We became the first Billericay school to win the award and the plaque is now displayed in the school”, said Izzy. “We have gained so much knowledge and experience of what it takes to be more understanding and patient. We have worked to spread the message in our community.”

Reducing Isolation

• Spent much time at the Ark Day Centre which provides stimulating environment to help reduce isolation for the elderly. Eight school council members visit every two to three weeks. “We are always complimented on the way we interact with the centre and enjoy playing games, complete puzzles, dance and talk,“ said Ava.
• Took part in pupil events and workshops during autumn and spring terms with other Billericay schools. Based on their Dementia Friendly Schools Award.

Summing up, Izzy said: “Sadly the year was cut short and we missed out some events we were looking forward to.”  Ava added: “Next year the school plans to continue our work with Dementia Friends and slowly getting back into the swing of things and more fund raising.”

After handling a Questions and Answer session very professionally, President Peter praised them for their maturity and thanked them for their presentation, and PDG Peter Dowse praised their efforts, commenting that he hoped to visit the school again soon.