New Quiltonians RotaKids

President Stephen King and Youth Officer Peter Greene went along to Quilters Junior School to the weekly Friday afternoon Assembly on Friday October 28 to complete the investiture of the 16 new Quilters RotaKids in front of the whole school.

Role Models

Headteacher Mike Wade was his usual ebullient and dynamic self, addressing the children and saying how proud he was of them all, in particular how courteous, kind, and sensible they all were, and how respectful they were to their visitors.

“Today is a Role Model Day” he said, “it started with us hosting carers and support workers this morning, and I was very impressed by how polite and engaging everybody was with our visitors.  Then this afternoon I am really excited that we welcome two members of the Rotary Club of Billericay – President Stephen King and Youth Officer Peter Greene.  Rotary embodies the spirit of service to the community through its projects and fundraising, and I have no doubt you’ll all be in Rotary one day”.

Making a Difference

All the children in the School Council, and thus the RotaKids Club, had been elected by their peers at school, and were lined up in front of the Assembly so they could take it in turn to give us a presentation of their mission and plans for this school year.  

It was very impressive, covering the ways in which they would try to be role models, how they had been motivated and inspired by the carers and support workers they had met, how they are contributing to the community (e.g. the intergenerational choir, every pupil year 2 – 6 is a dementia friend).  In addition, what they do for older people such as the pen pals, Unite in Kindness, and singing with the Parkinson’s Society Choir.

They summed it up by saying that all Quilter’s schoolchildren aimed to be thoughtful, reliable, kind and respectful.

Induction

It was then our turn, and as each of the RotaKids stepped forward, President Stephen presented them with their badges of office – first to the officers:
•    President - Isla 
•    Vice- President - Jack
•    Secretary - Alby
•    Treasurer - Isabelle
and then RotaKids members badges to the rest of the RotaKids.

President Stephen, followed by Peter, addressed the RotaKids by saying the Rotary’s ethos was to raise money and help others in the community.  We helped out at the Fireworks night the two weeks previously and will be helping at the Christmas Market in a week’s time, we raised money with the Billericay Fun Walk and our Christmas Quiz, and many other initiatives.  We are always impressed by the way in which they all behave and contribute to the community.  Very well done from both of us.

In a final act, President Stephen then gave all the RotaKids their RotaKids pledge cards, and led the children in reciting the RotaKids Pledge.

“As a RotaKid I endeavour to be fair to all, to serve my community and to show respect for others.  To make a difference to Our School, Our community,  And Our world.”

Mike ended the assembly by complimenting the children for all they do to help the older members of the community, to act against Dementia, and enthusiastically embracing the “Unite in Kindness” Project – over 130 of the children present were wearing their “Unite in Kindness” badges!