St Andrew’s Year 5 Students Work to Make A Difference
Friday, March 23rd, 2012 (Nassau, Bahamas) – In their recent studies on World Wide Aid, St Andrew’s Year 5 students were asked to help those in need by donating not only their money, but their time and their talents. Jessica Frisina, Year 5 Teacher, commented, “It was extremely moving to witness these children in action – their hearts are so filled with love and generosity!”
Students got creative with their Community Service and engaged in a wide range of activities, including: teaching swimming, working at a soup kitchen, helping at a home for children or the aged, and working with the Red Cross. Ashleigh Heastie volunteered at the Bilney Lane Childen’s Home, bringing games and art supplies, and said of her experience, “it was scary at first but then I was excited. It has made me grateful for all the love and support that I get from my family and friends and I appreciate my brother and sister even more!”
Liam Burrows and Juwan Willie donated their time and sports talents, and along with Coach Peter Wilson, taught children at the Stapleton School for disabled students some baseball skills. Juwan said, “Liam and I had not experienced children with mental disabilities before so we nervously approached the activities, but within a few minutes we realised that they were just like us and we became good friends. We loved the atmosphere of the school, and the students!”
Madison Martinborough’s activity was inspired by the fact that, “a lot of people don’t realize that 60% of Bahamians can’t swim, and living on an island we’re putting a lot of people in danger of drowning.” So on Thursdays, Madison volunteers her time to teach swimming to children from Government Schools. “I found that most of them are terrified of the water and need help to improve.”
Julia Van Wynen hosted two bake sales and raised $111.25 to put toward a Blairwood Academy Scholarship Fund. Julia hopes that “this fund will continue to grow with the support of other people in the community because we all deserve an education.” A creative and thoughtful service project was undertaken by Angel Cleare who crocheted hats for infants in the Intensive Care Unit. Angel said, “I focused on infants that really need help because if I help sick infants get better then I will have made a long-term difference.”
Cameron Burrows read a story about a boy whose family could no longer take care of him, and decided to volunteer at the Emergency Children Hostel. Cameron “took cookies for them and volunteered [his] time.” He said, “I enjoyed giving back to the community and I asked if I could volunteer my time every holiday.” Nicholas Colclough and Nathan Heastie combined their love of baseball with helping others to raise money for the Ranfurly Home for Children. The boys found sponsors who pledged either a fixed amount or an amount dependent on their performance in their baseball games, such as number of base hits batted or strikes pitched. Nicholas raised $1,259.00 which he was proud to present to Mr. Alex Roberts of the Ranfurly Home, and Nathan decided to continue his fundraising for the remainder of the season and will donate his contribution in May.
World Wide Aid was a Unit of Inquiry in these Year 5 students’ Primary Years Programme curriculum. Each Unit of Inquiry is substantial, in-depth, and extends over several weeks, requiring a high level of involvement from students. The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is concerned with the development of the whole child, both in the classroom and in the outside world.
Madison Martinborough, St Andrew’s Year 5 student, teaches Government School students to swim.
Liam Burrows and Juwan Willie, St Andrew’s Year 5 students, with the students of the Stapleton School for the disabled.
Year 5 student, Julia Van Wynen at Blairwood Academy.
Angel Cleare, Year 5 student, donating her crocheted hats for the Intensive Care Unit infants.
Nicholas Colclough, St Andrew’s Year 5 student, plays baseball during one of his sponsored games.
