Roedean learners lend a hand at Zoo Lake
PARKVIEW – The 11 learners, including some boys from St John’s College and St Stithian’s Boys’ College, assisted with the rehabilitation of a flower bed.
A number of learners from Roedean School’s Social Responsibility Programme descended on Zoo Lake to get their hands dirty on March 19.
Head of social responsibility at Roedean Charlotte Hulley said, “The Roedean Environmental Committee reached out to Friends of Zoo Lake who welcomed the volunteers, inviting them to participate in one of the many rehabilitation initiatives to develop this precious community space.”
The 11 learners, including some boys from St John’s College and St Stithians Boys’ College, assisted with the rehabilitation of a flower bed.
Hulley said the project helped to build an awareness of the need for assistance with projects at Zoo Lake, demonstrating how the greater community can become involved.
She explained that Roedean’s Social Responsibility Programme is informed by a social development approach as opposed to that of charity.
“The social responsibility programme allows students to work in teams not only in the school family but within the broader community, thereby deepening their engagement.”
“We believe that building a sense of social entrepreneurship within the school not only fulfils the ideal of service but is imperative for educational and economic equity and social justice, as well as personal and societal well-being.”
Hulley said learners discover that they cannot exist in isolation from the community in which they are found.
Chairperson of the Zoo Lake Users Committee Fran Haslam said, “The Zoo Lake Users Committee believes that a well-functioning public park builds bridges between communities and serves to enhance our democracy. As an expression of this belief, we welcomed the involvement of Roedean School in joining us to further our rehabilitation of Zoo Lake.”
Haslam described the initiative as a fun and productive morning.
“Thank you to the Roedean Environmental Committee for the initiative and for building awareness of the need for assistance with projects at Zoo Lake and demonstrating how the greater community can become involved but more importantly encouraging the other high schools to get involved. It is so important that the community gets involved in beautifying our green open spaces for many to enjoy,” said Haslam.
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