RotaKids

RotaKids was established at Pool Hayes Primary School in 2012 making it one of the oldest groups in the West Midlands. There are over 200 RotaKids clubs in the country.

Each year children in Years 5 and 6 choose to join the group weekly on a Tuesday lunchtime. The purpose of RotaKids is to give the children the opportunity to band together to run their own club and contribute to the local community.

Each week RotaKids begin their meetings with a pledge:

  • As a RotaKid I promise
  • To be fair to all
  • To serve my community
  • And to show my respect to others

Across the academic year, the children adopt charities and plan fundraising events to support them. Fundraising events are designed to involve the whole school community. Charities are then invited to school to be presented with a cheque from RotaKids to them. The charity representative will then often share the difference that the money raised will make to their specific charity.

Children suggest and vote for charities that mean something to them or our school community.

Charities RotaKids have supported in the past include Promise Dreams, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Toilet Twinning, LimbBo, Cancer Research, Breast Cancer Care at Walsall Manor Hospital, Heart Care.

Elections of Officers

Every September, a new term of office begins for RotaKids clubs. Children put themselves forward for a position of responsibility: President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. Other officer positions are also available such as attendance officer, PR Team and weekly prize officer.

Meetings

Meetings are led weekly by the President following a formal agenda. Minutes are read from previous meetings and actions are followed up. Funding totals are tallied and actions minuted to support building the totals further.

Meetings are supported by a school staff member and a Rotarian from Willenhall Rotary Club, Jim Green.

Rotary Club Support

Annually the President of RotaKids along with a small group of others is invited to a formal lunch with Willenhall Rotary Club. Here they meet Rotarians and discuss community matters, their own project progress and their roles as young citizens.

A guest or dignitary is invited to this lunch and the children present their focus charity, fundraising plans and impact in this forum. Previous dignitaries include the Mayor of Walsall.