Rokeby High School, Tasmania
Rokeby High School, Tasmania
Rokeby High School is pleased and grateful to have been involved with, and had the opportunity to share the successes and achievements of, what has been a fantastic year incorporating the ruMAD? philosophy into our school curriculum.
Our first term’s work was based on a tuning-in approach and included a time for reflection on what we value and what concerns us, not only on a local level but also how this relates to human rights globally.
The results of this research and debating identified what our students and school community value, and equally what concerns us; the outcome was unexpected but also understandable. When the things we value are taken away or not part of our social structure they cause us concern, therefore the response to both issues was very similar.
What our school community values:
• Positive relationships (family, friends and community)
• Having a home (shelter, food, love)
• Parents/carers (support, love and understanding)
• Trust and loyalty
What makes us mad:
• Relationships
• Family/authority
• Dishonesty
• Lack of love, support and understanding.
• Loss
From some intense workshops and debating our students arrived at a mission statement that will attempt to support or address these issues.
Our Vision: To create a space for students and their peers, parents/guardians and older members of the community to share ideas and knowledge, develop positive relationships, and form a better understanding of the issues facing each other.
Our issue of concern/interest: We were concerned that our community was not connected. It was decided that some whole school and local community activities would be a good starting place to build bridges and bring our community together.
Project 1: National Tree Planting Day
No. of students: 200
What we have done: A total of 350 native trees and bushes were planted around the school, some as wind breaks for our sports oval, some in our water wise garden and some as habitat for native wildlife. A large percentage of these plants have survived and have shown good growth. ‘From small seeds, big trees grow’.
This was a fantastic day. Many community groups were involved along with primary schools, parents and friends, Clarence City Council, Forestry Tasmania, and all Rokeby High staff and students.
This project succeeded not only as an environmental awareness project for our local community but also as an initial networking process and discussion opportunity.
Project 2: School National Clean up Australia Day
No. of students: 150 +
What we have done: We organised another ‘community building’ day which was very successful.
All high school staff and students, some primary school staff and students and community members/groups were involved.
A substantial amount of waste was collected and disposed of correctly and discussions about pride in our community, care for the environment, and how easy it is to make a difference were initiated.
More work is planned for the clean-up of our creek and beyond the school boundaries.
Project 3: Courtyard Development
No. of students: 60
What we have done: We have developed a courtyard as an alternative learning environment and a place to share ideas. This has been a whole of year project and is ongoing.
Some of the key factors in the courtyard’s development have been educating to create a sustainable future, providing a space for all people to share ideas and wisdom, creating a tranquil space for reflection and an alternative classroom for integrated units of work such as art/science and math/SOSE.
Students from the Grade 9/10 VAL home group lead this activity, assisted by an MDT class and Grade 7 art students who created colourful designs to brighten the area. However, the project has captured the attention of all year groups and their teachers.
A community art piece has been started, plants that have been grown from seed have been harvested and staff recently enjoyed organic salads made from the veggie garden, and golden sponge cakes. These delicacies were made with the help of Elmo and Cookie the chooks and, of course, Fiona and Caroline from our foods department. Plants have been sold to raise money or sent home with children and many a green conversation has taken place whilst relaxing and reflecting in this developing community space.
Project 4: Harmony Cup Soccer Challenge
No. of students: 30
What we have done: We invited Cosgrove High students, many of whom came to Tasmania as refugees, to visit our school to play soccer. We wanted to promote team building and leadership skills while also providing an opportunity for students to socialise and form positive relationships with students from other communities, local and global, through a common interest: soccer.
Project 5: ruMAD? Community Fund-Raising Day
No. of students: 200
What we have done: We ran a day of activities to raise funds for local and global projects. We raised $4,800 and the overall impact on ‘making a difference’ was immeasurable! This day was the culminating performance of all the hard work completed throughout the year. The students and staff decided it should be a day to come together as a community to help those less fortunate and to celebrate the strength in our own community.
The outcome was more than anyone could have hoped for. The generosity, sincerity and ‘connectedness’ that was displayed was humbling to say the least.
Students invented, designed, created and had fun organising class events, individual events, community stalls, international cuisine, fashion parades, drama performances, music, fair-ground stalls, an art auction and a whole range of other activities.
Students took on leadership roles, worked across year groups, negotiated with staff, wrote to potential sponsors and liaised with community members, the police and local service providers. In fact, they left no stone unturned when it came to bringing a range of diverse groups together under the banner of community ‘connectedness’. More than 500 people were involved in some aspect of the day.
In the evening, a hungi was cooked with the help of members of the Maori community, to celebrate ethnic diversity through food. There was also a very successful fashion parade. Following this, an art auction was held, supported by many artists who kindly donated art work. The art was auctioned for the price required to supply basic necessities for those less fortunate. Items ranged from a chook $10, water for a school $98, to literacy classes $40, so the bidding took on a rather bizarre twist when people started to raise the offer for a Barraclough or a Richardson by a fishing net $50 or a piglet $35. Our very capable auctioneer, Frank Bansell, appeared to enjoy the evening as much as those bidding for the items. The feedback has been wonderful and all have felt rewarded (not only by the fabulous art work they acquired) but by the fact they have contributed to ‘Making a Difference’. $3800 was raised - a fantastic effort by all involved.
“As principal of the school I saw our students, staff and community members united to celebrate life and contribute to the needs of others on ruMAD? Day on 26 November 2009. It was arguably one of the highest points in the history of the school.” Steve Lewis
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