|
 |
Lesotho
We have developed links with St Catherine’s School in Lesotho by sending out a team of staff and 6th formers each summer with the help of the Durham Lesotho Link. These teams work for 3 weeks with local Basotho children on a variety of projects, from holiday clubs and pre-school activities in orphanages to environmental projects, decorating classrooms and participating in a SHAPE course. The orphanages in which the girls
|
work are all stretched to the limits and their surroundings are dusty, sparse and inadequate. The school’s HIV and AIDS Peer Educators (SHAPE) courses also raise awareness in the girls of local customs and lifestyles, but also of their own as they partner teenagers from a secondary school and learn about sexual health together. These courses develop teaching, leadership, teamwork and assertiveness skills. For the girls, these skills are tested when they help out our own PSHE curriculum and inspire the school for the next year of fundraising. In the last week of the trip the teams have a rest in the mountain lodges of Malealea but also see the sights of Lesotho, visit St Catherine’s school and experience a local church service and warm Basotho hospitality.
These projects have all made a significant difference to the Basotho people but have also had a life-changing impact on our teams. They realise how fortunate they are and are inspired to let that experience change their own values. The trip is so rewarding that many girls want to return. |
Amnesty Group
The school Amnesty group engages in a number of activities to promote awareness of the abuse of human rights across the world. Recent examples include several letter-writing campaigns, either to heads of government or to individual victims. Pupils have sketched pencil portraits to denounce the arms trade, bought Amnesty badges to support Amnesty’s work, signed Christmas cards for victims of abuse in Eastern Europe and created banners of support for human rights groups in Zimbabwe.
The group raises funds for stationary and postage by holding regular cake or sweet sales. To generate interest and support in school, the group prepares and presents assemblies. The plight of particular individuals may be explained or the latest Amnesty campaign is highlighted.
Environment Group
Pupils from Year 7 and above can attend this group. They are involved with recycling and litter-picking and also take part in an annual birdwatch. They have visited the botanical gardens and carried out work in the school nature reserve. |
