Leavers of Sandcross and Merstham Schools receive their illustrated dictionaries, gift of Reigate Rotary Club

Report on the Presentation of Dictionaries to School Leavers

The annual gift of dictionaries made by The Rotary Club of Reigate to Year 6 leavers at two local schools took place on Monday 20^th July.

In the morning at the Sandcross School leavers’ assembly, following a humourful review of the year’s highlights and successes and an ultra-modern performance of foot and hand dancing, Rotary President Duncan Anderson presented a dictionary to each of the 120 leavers. He explained to them something of the charitable work undertaken by Rotary, both internationally and in the local community, particularly underlining the support given to literacy programmes in schools. His words to the assembly ended with the wish that the children will continue to do well in their future schooling.

Merstham Primary School leavers at their assembly in the afternoon of the same day were also presented with dictionaries by busy Rotary President Duncan Anderson. The Year 6 leavers entertained the audience gathered in the school hall with a cleverly staged “Dr Who” type performance. Each leaving pupil acted as if he or she was returning to the school some 15 years in the future and from that distance in time describing the qualities, skills and experiences that they had derived from their years at Merstham Primary School.

Both head teachers, Judith Constable at Sandcross in the morning, and Nina Saunders at Merstham in the afternoon, complimented their Year 6 leavers on their hard work and congratulated them on their achievements, including excellent SATs results.

The Rotarians who witnessed these two events were impressed at the high standards maintained at both schools, and more than ever reminded of how important a part education plays in shaping both the individual and the country’s future and potential.