Reepham Rotary Club has a long history of working closely with our local schools using the wide range of skills and experience in the club for the benefit of young people. After two years of Covid restrictions we are now re-starting a full programme of activity.
Reading support
We provide role models as reading tutors for pupils at the Primary School who are struggling with reading.
Rotakids
Rotakids is the most junior branch of Rotary. Young people set up and run a team that plans and undertakes small community projects. It is an excellent way of learning about the way the world works.
At Reepham Primary School, Jim Fraser found an enthusiastic reception to the idea with a healthy number of pupils volunteering. Here is his report on their first few months of operation. Rotakids
Youth Speaks
Visitors to the final of this speaking competition have always been impressed with the way our young people can develop and present an idea.
For the 2023 competition, we enjoyed an incredibly high standard of speakers. The ten finalists – six girls and four boys, aged 12 and 13 – royally entertained and impressed the audience with their 3 minutes presentations on the subject of “What the world needs now …..”.
Having the courage to stand on stage talking to an audience of parents, family, teachers and Rotary Club members at such a young age is a credit to all concerned.
Jaimee Andrews won the event, with Troy Kaulins-Murch and Yasmin Hastings 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The competition is sponsored by Reepham Rotary Club. Members coach participants and provide the prizes. Dates for 2022/23 are now being discussed.
Enrichment Programme
Supporting the High School’s enrichment programme. Club members use their business experience to help students with mock interviews, assessment of business proposals, CV preparation and careers advice.
Science
Members with relevant experience are able to support science education with practical experiments and display material.
Tony Poole Award
This is awarded to a student who its judged to have made the best contribution to preserving and improving the environment. The first award was made in 2003 in memory of Rotarian Tony Poole. This year it was awarded to Luna-Blue Finch who was a vital part of the Care of the Countryside group and central to supporting the school allotment. Through hard work, humour, enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors she showed that she felt strongly about the health and wellbeing of our natural world. The two years Luna was involved with Care of the Countryside saw her ask every lesson “How long until we were going outside?” Well done Luna, hugely deserved and we wish you all the best in the future.
Japanese Garden
The Club has helped with project planning and construction of a Japanese Garden at Reepham Primary School to mark their association with a Japanese school.
Allotment
The Club has helped with the planning and construction of the High School allotment with ground preparation and clearance, construction and overall support.
Future/potential opportunities
We are exploring a number of other possible ways of supporting students
- Life skills – managing money, investments, understanding mortgages, etc.
- On-site support for “outdoor learning” at the primary school, overseeing small groups