The Rotary Club of South Foreland: Promoting the Environment and Supporting a Local Dover School

The Rotary Club of South Foreland: Promoting the Environment and Supporting a Local Dover School.

In the autumn of 2023, the Rotary Club of South Foreland, as part of its environmental programme, which is led by Janet Dagys, decided to give a gift pack of four of Gloria Barnett’s books about the oceans to a local primary school as a way of promoting the importance of oceans to our environment.

Gloria lives in Dover and is a Science Educator, author and presenter who has spent more than 30 years exploring the world’s oceans.  She is also a Rotarian and member of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group.  Education is crucial and so engaging younger children in learning about and caring for the environment through her presentations, books and resources for teachers is Gloria’s concern.

As club member Peter Sherred had contact with Guston Church of England Primary School this was the school chosen, and on Tuesday 23^rd January 2024 three members of the club were welcomed by Headteacher Deby Day to meet the children in assembly.  Prior to assembly Rotarians Janet Dagys, Peter Sherred and President at that time, John Dunkley, were given a tour of the school building and the outside forest school, an environmental activity area, by the Headteacher.eadrteacher Deby Day

During the assembly John Dunkley spoke to the children about the environment and asked questions to which they responded enthusiastically.  He then presented books to Myra (year 2), Noah (Year 3) and Annabelle (Year 4) that are now in the school library.  Three of the books were stories, Logan the Lobster for example, which combine scientific facts with entertaining storylines.  The non-fiction book, ‘The Amazing World Beneath the Waves’ is written in plain English so that while the science is there, it is told in a way which is clear to understand.

As a follow up to the assembly the Rotary Club of South Foreland sponsored an in-person visit by Gloria Barnett for a half-day Ocean Adventure Workshop with older pupils some weeks later.  This was very well received.

IN October 2024 the link with Guston School was strengthened when Headteacher Deby Day gave a talk about her school to the Rotary Club of South Foreland, when club members found out what an exceptional School Guston is with an exceptional Headteacher.

The school is situated in Dover at the top of Old Charlton Road near the demolished barracks adjoining Burgoyne Heights.  Its pupil intake includes children from military families for some of whom English is their second Language.  Under the Afghan Resettlement Scheme, they also have children from British Army evacuees who were in danger from the Taliban regime, as well as Afghan families.  The school is therefore diverse and multicultural, which is a challenge but creates a rich environment of cultures that brings mutual understanding to children of different backgrounds and faiths: Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and some of no faith. 

Guston is a vibrant community where everyone is welcome, valued, and encouraged to understand, tolerate and accept others.  Inclusion is at the heart of what the school does, an example being Sports day when the morning programme of athletics is followed in the afternoon by a picnic when families bring traditional food and customs.  The teaching team, Teaching Assistants, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities team, with other support workers, make up a staff committed to doing their best for all the children.  Special needs and disabilities, including autism, ADHD, speech and language, and English as a Second Language, need much attention in terms of finance and staff training.

The main challenges facing the school are the mobility of service families which means that children come and go at different times, making planning difficult; the large number of children for whom English is a second language; creating religious and cultural inclusion while maintaining a distinctive Christian character; the varied provision needed for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities.

The strengths of the school are its amazing children with their high aspirations and supportive families.  There is good communication between parents and staff: this is helped by Deby’s open-door policy which makes parents feel that they will be listened to.  They know that if problems arise the staff will do something to help resolve them.

The school has the advantage of plenty of outside space, including astro turf for use in all weathers.  There is also a large field, a science garden, and garden club at lunchtime.  The forest area with outside classroom, canopy and firepit went out of use during the covid epidemic but has been started up again.  This is where the Rotary Club of South Foreland saw an opportunity to help.

Earlier this year Environmental Lead Janet Dagys secured a £300 District Grant to be used to buy a Mud Kitchen for the school.  This is an outdoor structure used for play that allows children to engage in pretend and messy play by cooking with mud, sand and water.  It is a prepared environment which encourages children to spend time outdoors to help them understand and appreciate nature.

In a mud kitchen, children can utilise kitchen tools to pretend to cook.  It is made up of a work surface, a sink area, shelves, bowls and tools.  Children can learn so much about the natural environment around them by playing in a mud kitchen: it is a way to get them to notice the features of their local environment and observe its flora, fauna and natural materials as the seasons change.

The cheque for £300 was presented by President Peter West to Headteacher Deby Day at a club meeting on 14^th May.  As part of its environmental programme for the 2025/26 Rotary year, the club intends to build on the relationship with Guston Church of England Primary School.  Promoting environmental activities that can be undertaken with the school, providing more books and resources, as well as promoting community awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability, are ways forward.