Educating Our Youth
Literacy Grants
Education is one of the three pillars of the Rotary Club of Gawler Light's project areas. In 2008 the Rotary Club of Gawler Light offered for the first time a grant of $2000 to local schools with Junior Primary students to support Literacy improvement. The club recognises the personal and community value of high literacy skill and wishes to contribute to this cause. The first grant was awarded to Gawler Primary School who used the money to establish Literacy Bags for their Junior Primary students.
The Literacy Grants have grown in the amount and scope, with the Club now offering three $1000 donations and 25 book bags to selected local primary schools. The schools use the funding to purchase children's books along with stimulus materials related to the books, which often include toys, construction models, puzzles etc. Schools report that the bags are a very successful innovation in stimulating children to read and involve family members in supporting interest in reading.
In 2012, literacy grants were awarded to Trinity North campus, Trinity South campus and Hewett Primary School.
Rotary Readers
In 2004 the Rotary Club of Gawler Light introduced a “Rotary Readers” program. Initially it was to support the development of literacy within local Junior Primary schools.
From 2015 however this program will allocate funding to interested Pre-Schools thus recognising the need and importance of commencing literacy early in a child’s development.The program involves the allocation of $300 per annum to a Pre-School in the Gawler/Hewett area. The Pre-School will then purchase suitable books and teaching aids which will assist in the development of literacy skills for the students from their centre about to enter Junior Primary education.
Interact
The Rotary Club of Gawler Light would like to start an Interact Club. Please feel free to contact the Youth Services Director via president@gawlerlightrotary.org for more information. Interact members are aged between 13 - 18 and are school-based. Interact Clubs enable students to develop leadership skills and personal integrity while helping others. Interact benefits its young members, the sponsoring Rotary club and the community that the Interactors serve. Current Clubs in our District are:
Interact Club of Adelaide High School
https://www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/Co-Curricular/Student-Leadership/Interact under the direction of the Rotary Club of Adelaide
Rotary International Interact Facebook page
www.facebook.com/interactofficial
RYPEN - Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment
RYPEN is a youth leadership program aimed at 14 to 17 year olds. It aims to motivate and inspire, facilitate trust, increase self esteem, encourage commitment, understand personal responsibility, broaden horizons, and build team and leadership skills. RYPEN is a live in Camp in about April of each year and is normally held at the Nunyara Conference Centre Belair.
Gawler Light Light sponsors two students with leadership potential who will benefit from a learning experiance where they can gain confidence in a supportive environment. Qualified and trained people from Rotary, RYLA and Rotary Youth Programs are program leaders for the weekend. All of those working during the RYPEN Weekend are required to complete the mandatory Working with Children checks.
NYSF - National Youth Science Forum
The National Youth Science Forum offers Students in Year 11 a chance to test drive potential careers in science. Participants will do actual experiments in Laboratories and visit a range of industry and research facilities. Nominations open in March and there is a fairly rigorous interview process as places are limited. The Forums are held in January in Canberra and Perth over 10 days in the following year. The Rotary Club of Gawler Light provides guidance and support to a Student to help them qualify through the interview process. If successful, the Club will sponsor the Student to attend the Forum
Gawler Light Rotary congratulates Emma Gard (2014 awardee) on her award as Dux of Trinity with hear year 12 results (see http://www.trinity.sa.edu.au/news-events/latest-news/61-news-events/latest-news/740-2014-sace-results for more info)
The Science Experience
The Science Experience is a three-day hands-on science, engineering and technology program for Year 9 and Year 10 students. The Science Experience at Flinders University includes workshops and activities covering a wide range of fields, including robotics, engineering, medical science, forensic science, environmental science, animal diversity and chemistry. Participants come from Schools all around SA. It is a great chance to make friends and meet staff and students who share an interest in science while visiting one of Australia's most beautiful University campuses.
The Science Experience is a Rotary Youth Services Project and is fully supported by the Australian Science Teachers Association. The cost of the three-day program is $110 (includes GST). Application forms and further information can be downloaded from:
Some information about the 2012 event:
www.flinders.edu.au/events/show/event/the-science-experience-2012
The Science and Engineering Challenge
The Challenge is an outreach program conducted nationally by the University of Newcastle. It is designed to inspire students to study science and engineering at a senior level. The Challenge takes the students out of the classroom and gives them a day of fun, teamwork and discovery. The Rotary Club of Adelaide each year manages the SA leg of the national tour of the Science & Engineering Challenge. The Rotary Club sees around 100 volunteers and 2,000 students compete across a variety of venues around SA. The events are usually held in June with a final in September.
More information:
www.facebook.com/ScienceandEngineeringChallenge
www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/engineering/community-engagement/challenge
RYDA - Rotary Youth Driver Awareness
The Rotary Club of Gawler Light currently assists the Rotary Club of Gawler with the RYDA program at Trinity College in December of each year. Over 150 students participate. Our Club would like to include the other secondary Schools in this program and have been negotiating with Xavier College to run this program in 2013.
More information: www.rse.org.au/RYDA.aspx
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Award
The RYLA participants are 18-25 year olds. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth, provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders.
Rotaract
The Rotary Club of Gawler Light has been working with a group of local youth since 2011 to try to start a Gawler Rotaract Club. Rotaract targets members between the age of 18 and 30. Rotaract Clubs enable Rotaractors to grow personally and professionally, address community needs, and promote international understanding through friendship and service. Current clubs in our District:
Rotaract Club of Adelaide University
https://www.auu.org.au/clubs/adelaide_university_rotaract_club
Rotaract Club of Adelaide City
https://www.adelaidecityrotaractclub.org/
Rotaract Club of Global Peace
http://www.beecoswebengine.org/servlet/Web?s=5090820&p=Rotaract
Rotaract Club of Salisbury City
http://salisburycityrotaract.org.au/
Other Education Programs
Other education programs we support include:
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Gawler High School Awards
Personalised Number Plates (SA)
For every Personalised Rotary Number Plate purchased in South Australia, $10 goes towards supporting the work of the Rotary Foundation. Please contact us for more information.