A Monthly Publication

...AND SMITHDON HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

The existing partnership between these two organisations has been strengthened further this term as a result of two significant events. Club representatives visited the school in early November to make the official presentation of £500 worth of books for the school’s library.  The Club’s continuing generosity has allowed the school to make a considerable addition to several areas of book stocks, particularly fiction.

Headmaster, Mr Jon Goodchild, offered his thanks stating: “Once again the Rotary Club of Hunstanton has been extremely generous to the school.  Their recent donation has enabled us to increase the range and quality of books in our library, giving every student the opportunity to benefit from the Club’s donation.”

This is the latest event in an increasingly important and well established partnership.  In October the Club and the school organised the first of a series of days devoted to ‘Mock Interviews’ for Year 11 students.  The students consistently commented on the value of the event.  All students arriving at Hunstanton Town Hall felt very nervous, but the quality of the Rotary Club Interviews was such that both the interviews and subsequent feedback proved to be a very worthwhile experience.

The Club will launch its annual Sixth Form bursary later in the year, giving students in the Sixth Form an opportunity to compete for a substantial bursary to enable them to pursue a particular aspect of their work.  The award is the Hunstanton and District Rotary Club Centenary Award for Community Service and Enterprise.  All Sixth Form students are invited to apply for the award, for use on a project of their choice.  Initial written applications ask students to provide details of one piece of school work as well as community and enterprise work.  The short-listed candidates give a ten minute presentation to the awarding panel.  Past winners have used the bursary to purchase ICT equipment and reading material for university and in one instance a student used the prize money to set up their own dark room to further their photography work.

The Rotary Club also funds an annual award to the student who does most work in the school and wider community.

Mr Goodchild described the relationship as ‘strong and very important’ adding that the school is “extremely fortunate to be working actively with such a generous and forward looking Club”.