David Jack - REP and RAP
David spoke to us, in Anne Dunphy's absence about the Reading Enrichment Program and the Rotary Apprenticeship Program.
David told us of the expansion of the Reading Enrichment Program. He announced the addition of the 12th school to the REP program, increasing the number of students benefiting to 295.
The program involves 41-hour sessions with tutors, helping students with a reading age of 11 to understand material at a higher level. The program has shown significant success in improving students' participation and confidence in the classroom. The program is managed by Anne, Scott, Deb Kane, Leonie Blake, and the REP committee, with potential for exponential growth.
David mentioned the challenges facing the program and the solutions to those problems.
He highlighted the need for more tutors, mentioning that 100 different tutors are currently involved, with some doing two days of work. The committee is working on resourcing with volunteers and measuring performance through tests at the beginning and end of the program. Some schools have more students graduating from the program, and the committee aims to set up Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with each school. The program is currently managed within District 992), but there is a need to expand beyond these boundaries as schools come on board.
David then talked to the costs of and funding of the REP Program.
David told us that each new school starting up needs 20 sets of SRA books and sometimes a teaching assistant. The club funds the program, with contributions from various sources like car parking, grants, and legacy funds. The budget for the program is just over $100,000, with plans to increase to $150,000 as the program expands.
After talking about the nuts and bolts of the REP program David then told us about the impact of and success stories of the REP Program. He told us of success stories of students who have benefited from the program, including a student who became a deputy head girl and pursued a chemical engineering degree. He mentioned that the program is not just about reading but also about mentoring and life lessons, as evidenced by the students' confidence and presentations at graduation ceremonies. Additionally, the program is of importance for students who may not have many non-family adults in their lives.
The program has shown significant improvements in students' confidence and ability to engage in conversations.
David then talked about mentoring and apprenticeship programs. He pointed to the mentoring program at One Tree Hill College, aimed at final-year students preparing for apprenticeships. The program includes work experience, writing CVs, and learning essential skills like cold calling and communication. The program has been successful, with many students completing their NCEA units and securing jobs or apprenticeships. The program is tied into BCITO, focusing on units associated with the building industry, and there are plans to expand it to other schools.
While the program is a success there are issues facing the program. There are challenges of securing apprenticeships for students, despite their skills and qualifications. Many students are unable to secure paid apprenticeships, leading them to pursue other paths like polytech or unpaid work experience. The program aims to teach students essential skills like cold calling and communication to help them secure jobs. The program has been running for four years, with plans to expand it to other schools in the area.
Davids update on these two programs showed us that they are shining examples of Rotary's ability to support those who need it in practical ways.