School celebrates success of Raleigh expedition in India
9 December 2008
A special event at Welling School, Bexley, will tonight celebrate the success of the school's recent expedition in India with youth and education charity Raleigh. The impact of the expedition on the 20 pupils who took part will be discussed by Diane Khana, Head of Welling School, and Stacey Adams, Raleigh Chief Executive. Guests at the presentation include representatives of London Challenge and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) together with staff, parents and pupils.
Throughout the evening, Welling School staff and pupils will comment on the impact on those who took part in the Raleigh expedition in July. The school group spent 21 days in the village of Kandegala, Karnataka, living in self-sufficient camp conditions. During this time, the pupils constructed 15 eco sanitation units - composting toilets - which improved the villagers' health through giving access to safe drinking water and reducing pollution of the local water sources. The group then completed a six day trek carrying all their own equipment and supplies.
Zara Flynn, expedition teacher at Welling School, said: "The students definitely gained from this experience. They witnessed first hand a totally different culture and were proud to have provided the community with such a valuable resource. They worked really hard and finished the toilets in record time. We could not have wished for a more fabulous experience."
The expedition provided facilitated skills development focussing on teamwork, leadership, communication and problem solving; and heightened cultural awareness and global understanding by living and working with a remote community.
Isabella Goss, age 16, who will be attending the celebratory event said: "The Raleigh expedition has influenced me immensely. To see people so happy when they have so very little makes us in this part of the world look greedy and unappreciative of what we have. Having the chance to go to India was life-changing and made me appreciate my life a lot more. I have become more self-motivated and determined. I now feel as if I can tackle any challenges that are thrown at me."
Raleigh Chief Executive, Stacey Adams, said: "The Welling School expedition is part of a special programme run by Raleigh to encourage pupils to volunteer to raise their aspirations and improve their confidence and self-esteem. Raleigh expeditions equip young people with the confidence and life skills they need for both further study and the world of work."
The expedition was facilitated by funding that Raleigh received from v, the youth volunteering charity. Welling School, currently in special measures with Ofsted, is working with London Challenge - the Government scheme to improve under-performing secondary schools in greater London.
Ends
For further information , please contact:
Anne Grenyer
PR and Campaigns Manager
Raleigh
Tel: 020 7183 1298
Email: anne.grenyer@raleigh.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
The presentation will start at 7.00pm on Tuesday 9 December 2008 in the Assembly Hall, Welling School, Elsa Road, Welling, Kent, DA16 1LB. Attendees include:
Stacey Adams, Raleigh Chief Executive
Rebecca Ford, DCSF Lead on the London Challenge Secondary School Key to Success Programme
Paul Harwood, London Challenge
Diane Khana, Head of Welling School
Governors, Welling School
Zara Flynn, Expedition Teacher Welling School
Phil Schott, Expedition Teacher Welling School
Expedition participants, Welling School
Participant parents, Welling School
Raleigh
Raleigh is a youth and education charity. Since 1984 our expeditions have inspired 30,000 people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to be all they can be, helping them develop new skills, friendships and make a difference to communities and environments across the world.
We all have an expedition within us. Find yours at http://www.raleighinternational.org/
v
v is an independent charity set up in 2006 to champion youth volunteering. Its aim is to inspire a new generation of young people aged 16-25 to volunteer. To do this v is working to increase the quantity, quality and diversity of volunteering opportunities available to young people. It is supported by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office.
London Challenge
London Challenge was launched in 2003, and aims to improve secondary schools within Greater London. The programme will run until 2011. London Challenge is led by Andrew Adonis, Minister for London Schools, and Sir Mike Tomlinson, Chief Adviser for London Schools. It is delivered in partnership with schools, the 33 Greater London local authorities, and all those working in education in the city.
Notes to Picture Editors:
High resolution images of the Welling School expedition in India are available on request.
