THIS year has once again seen students from Prep to Grade 6 at Gagebrook Primary actively involved in the ruMAD? (are you making a difference) program.
Students in Units A,B & D meet Brightside Farm pet pig with owner Emma Haswell.
Gagebrook Primary School’s ruMAD? coordinator Steve Robinson said students explored and researched a diverse range of topics over the course of 2009.
“The ultimate aim of the ruMAD? program is to bring about social change in the community, starting with primary school children,” Steven said.
“This year, lower primary students chose to find out what it means to look after pets properly.
“After visits from Brightside Farm and the RSPCA, students held a cup cake day to raise funds.
“In order to get their message across to the wider community, the students created a resource book for the school library as well as posters for public display.”
Steven said that the middle primary students became aware of the impact of humans on our native wildlife.
“Their research focused on the care of injured wildlife. After visits from the Fox Eradication Taskforce, Parks and Wildlife, and Bonorong Park, students raised funds to sponsor the care of an orphaned bettong.
“The students also created an informative pamphlet for distribution in the community,” Steven said.
“The upper primary students decided they wanted to work with sections of the community they wouldn’t ordinarily come into contact with. To this end, three groups were formed to work with the residential elderly, sick children and disabled children.
“The groups formed strong links with St Ann’s Aged Care, Ronald McDonald House and Hazelwood School respectively,” Steven said.
“Both students and the partners saw the projects as being highly beneficial with a positive impact on all concerned. Student’s personal growth will stay with them as they move through their respective communities.”