The Rotary Club of Rosebank held its annual Senior Youth Leadership Course for Grade 11 pupils in October at Magalies Retreat in Magaliesburg.
This course has been run annually by the Rosebank Rotary Club for over 30 years. The course is aimed at Grade 11 learners from diverse schools and backgrounds. Two learners per school are invited to attend from in and around Johannesburg as far as Minerva High School in Alexandra, Centurion College in Joubert Park, Mondeor High School in Mondeor, St Stithians in Randburg, St Peters in Sandton, St Matthews in Soweto and Athlone Girls High in Observatory.
The course aims to teach learners skills for leadership at school and for the future. By the end of the course, they have learned to recognise their strengths, understand and respect their different cultures, and focus their aims and aspirations. They return as better citizens and potential leaders for the school and the community.
This year a total of 62 participants met at Bryanston High School where they were put into groups of 10 and much to their shock, given R40 per learner (R400 per group) and told that they would be expected to cater for themselves for the weekend. This meant two breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners, one of which was judged and had to consist of a main meal and either a starter or dessert.
They also had to cater to the dietary needs of the members in their group. They did their own grocery shopping with the money allocated. They were given an engaging talk and then with a packed lunch were taken by bus to Magalies Retreat.
The course was run by Tyron Sharnock who has been the course instructor for the past five years.
“The best part about camp was doing everything on our own, getting to work with different people and having to depend on the team,” said one learner.
On the final day, the Rotarians provided the participants with a braai before they returned by bus to Bryanston High School.
