Page 22 - Jigsaw August 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS
What’s school for?
When the government announced the roadmap for the lifting of lockdown restrictions beginning with the return of primary and secondary school students on March 8th, a barrage of questions followed from the media, parents, teachers, community leaders and academic think-tanks.
It’s a reality that whilst some students thrived when learning from home, many
students struggled for a variety of
reasons; lack of motivation, poor access
to technology, loss of routine and structure, little peer support, lack of access to expert help, a chaotic home...
We must remember that the students themselves have been experiencing
the greatest disruptive event in a
generation. These 11-18 year olds are not immune from the anxiety and sense of loss that we have all been feeling. Far from it, in many ways they have felt the pain of lockdown most keenly, as they have not yet developed the sophisticated coping mechanisms that mature adults take for granted, and they have been deprived of the time with peers that is so foundational at this stage of their development.
In a survey of more than 2,000 young people with a history of mental health needs last year,
80% agreed the coronavirus had made their mental health worse. This statistic sits within the context that before the pandemic began, five secondary school students out of a class of 30 had a probable diagnosable mental disorder.
And many school leaders are all too aware of these statistics. So whilst the external questions may be around the academic learning that
students have missed, the internal thoughts of members of staff often turn to Charlotte who feels too anxious to come to school, Sam whose angry behaviour masks the underlying insecurity, hurt and grief that he
feels inside, and to Gabriella who began self-harming when she lost her grandmother.
Here at Souster Youth we have been journeying with young people throughout this pandemic. Before lockdown we were there in schools, supporting young people. And now that students have returned to school we are there once again, for the Charlotte, the Sam and the Gabriella, and also for the committed school staff trying to find their way through.
You can find out all about our work by visiting sousteryouth.org
Schools provide so much more than lessons
THRAPSTON AND RAUNDS ROTARY CLUB
July marks the start of the new Rotary year. It is usually the time when some of the club officers end their term and new officers take over. For all of us this last year, and more, has been difficult in so many ways and our club is no different. However, club members are pleased that Mike Turner has agreed to continue as club president for another year.
Looking back on the 2020-2021 Rotary
year, despite the covid restrictions that greatly reduced our fundraising and other activities, we have provided financial support to our local foodbanks, and practical support with the local vaccination programme and Sailability
at Grafham Water. We were also able to give donations to a number of local and national charities and to continue our support of the End Polio Now Campaign and the Rotary’s own Charity the Rotary Foundation.
If the opening up of events and activities continues, then please look out for our fund raising events to start again in the autumn.
We are always keen to hear from people who would like to know more about the Rotary and, perhaps, join us or support our activities.
Further details of the club and about Rotary can be found on the Thrapston and Raunds Rotary Club Facebook page.
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