In 2009 a survey of all Club members took place to identify the areas that interested members most and this was discussed at the first meeting of the Education Group in April 2010. Early meetings focussed on fact finding with the International Day of Literacy, 8th September, being marked by the issue of a Literary Quiz that raised £50 for WaterAid.
SI Solihull has supported Homelands School & Orphanage in Uganda for a few years now and Club members made it clear that this is an area where they want our support to continue. One of our members met with the head teacher of St Nicholas School, Nuneaton that is partnered with Homelands and through him found out that two teachers from Homelands School are travelling to the UK in July 2011. Money raised by the “Made in Dagenham” film night will go towards helping fund their visit. Additionally, two members are hoping to visit Homelands in May and bring back more ideas on how to provide help to the children and teachers.
Partners in Education (PIE) is a Solihull Chamber of Commerce initiative which has provided some useful contacts and regularly issues requests for help from local schools – it is through this that we expect to be able to help some Year 10/11 children by giving them mock interview practice later this year.
We were delighted to be able to send the first entrant from SI Solihull to the MAR Public Speaking Competition. We sponsored a Young Leader and Junior Ranger in the Girl Guides. Although the youngest she was just as impressive as all the other contestants and is determined to try again next year!
Finally, we have embarked on an ambitious scheme to run a “Skirting Science” day, designed to encourage Year 9 girls in the Borough of Solihull to consider science as a career. This will involve work with many partners, lots of planning and hard work but will be very exciting and rewarding –we hope to hold it in March 2012.