Once a week during school term for almost 15 years, volunteers visited Whanganui’s Aramoho School to have a reading session with learners.
The sessions run over a morning, and four learners have one-on-one re
ading time with one of the four ‘Rotary Readers.’
Aramoho School Deputy Principal Ross Duncum said that the Programme gives some learners extra reading time each week.
Learners are now more interested in books and reading, he said.
“They enjoy books more. They come back and talk about what they are reading and what they have done with the readers,” he said.
There are also the positive outcomes that learners get from spending one-on-one time with someone from a different generation, Mr Duncum said.
“Respect for the older generation comes through with it. Sometimes they would have chat about what things were like for the readers when they were at school, and they build up a good relationship.”
Jack Kale, a Rotary Reader, has been a volunteer at Aramoho School since the Programme was launched in 1997.
According to Mr Duncum, Jack is a popular reading partner with all the learners.
“Whoever gets to the staffroom first grabs Jack,” he said.
Smart initiative
Rotary Readers is an initiative of Rotary Club of Wanganui member Ron Lamont.
He has since passed on, but the Club decided to keep the programme going.
Rotary Readers go into 12 schools around Whanganui, and they are always on the lookout for more volunteers. They currently have about 70 volunteers, Jim Callaghan of the Club said.
There are six readers designated to each school. Four of them go into the school each week, and the other two are used as reserves.
The reading takes place in one room. The volunteers ensure that there are always two adults in the room. As well as the readers, there is a coordinator assigned to each school to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Not all the volunteers are Rotarians; they are recruited from various sources.
Mr Callaghan said that each year, a representative from Rotary speaks to Probus Clubs about the Programme, and they find volunteers.
“The positive outcomes are not just for the learners involved. During my time as a reader, I discovered that primary schools in Whanganui are wonderful. The children are proud of reading,” Mr Callaghan said.
In 2003, the Rotary Readers initiative won the ‘Genesis Innovative Project Trophy’ as the most innovative project in the Club’s district.
Intergenerational learning
Schools who want to get involved with intergenerational initiatives can access the Link Age online resource produced by the Office for Senior Citizens of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). The resource aims to promote intergenerational learning programmes through volunteering in schools and community organisations.
Intergenerational initiatives can build on the positive resources that young and old have to offer, while promoting understanding and respect between generations.
The different programmes and initiatives can support many areas of the New Zealand Curriculum. They include vision, principles, values and key competencies.
Intergenerational initiatives can involve more than one-on-one reading sessions. Other schools in New Zealand have initiated projects such as a ‘Field of Remembrance’ project for learners to gain greater understanding of the price of peace and the sacrifice previous generations had made.
A ‘Buddy Programme,’ is conducted with a rest home, where learners undertake different activities with a resident at the home; and an initiative for learners to record stories of older members of the local community.
Source: The New Zealand Education Gazette
