Tag Archives: Narembeen District High School

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading 2023

Ninth Annual Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading on 11 February 2023

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading will be held at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on Saturday 11 February 2022!  We’ll fundraise for reading programs at Bruce Rock and Narembeen District High Schools. Importantly, young participants will earn places on Rotary youth programs through their participation in the swim.

This year for the first time we’re offering full online registration, to save delays and streamline the process when you arrive at the pool.

We have vacancies for volunteers in a number of categories on the day and will welcome assistance from community members.

Register for the swim and to volunteer here.

About the Swim Event

Our Swim is on at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on Saturday 11 February 2022, commencing at 12.30pm.

The Swim is a fun event that brings our Rotary team, schools and the community together, promoting a love of reading and fundraising for reading programs, as we enable future leaders to earn Rotary youth program places.

About Sponsorship for the Swim

This year we have again partnered with Rotary Australia World Community Service so that we can offer tax-deductible receipts.

Please encourage all sponsors to use the online donation form at https://donations.rawcs.com.au/49-2020-21

This is the easiest way to obtain a tax receipt. Donors who enter their details in the form can choose to pay by credit card, bank transfer or cheque. All the instructions are in the form. In the Request(s) to Project Manager box, please name the school and swimmer being sponsored. The online form is also great for encouraging family and friends anywhere to support local kids.

Questions?  Email us at swim@rotaryeclubwa.org.au

One Banner to Rule Them All?

Our number 1 banner promoting literacy development

Supporting Reading via Reading Rabbits

Our Number One Banner

One banner to rule them all? Maybe not, but our number one banner – promoting literacy development – has pride of place in our visual storytelling.

Our most important banner was born in 2016. Crucially, that banner addresses two themes that are vital to what we do in Bruce Rock, Narembeen and Quairading:

  • Firstly, the core theme is obvious. We made literacy improvement our prime aim in 2015, knowing that it wasy not going to be easy . Lots of research points to the ongoing challenges of literacy and how a literacy deficit adversely impacts people. We wanted a better future for all kids, so we took on what is now our Rotary Love of Reading program with the help of our wonderful partner schools.  Together we will make a difference.
  • Secondly, the banner depicts another theme that we also value highly: our sponsorship from Bruce Rock Shire.  The Shire has helped us progress the Rotary Love of Reading program in very important ways. Crucially, the Shire enables our use of the facilities at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre for the annual Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading.  Additionally, the Shire sponsors our Rotary Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) a development seminar for 14 to 17 year olds.  We offer RYPEN to those students who take part in the Swim and raise funds for their schools.

Have You Spoken with Alison?

Importantly, our number one banner also depicts our 2020-21 president-elect Alison in the kids’ library.  Alison arranged the first Rotary swim in 2014, soon after she arrived in Bruce Rock. Alison, a keen supporter of our reading and youth development programs, still lives in Bruce Rock and still plays a crucial role in the annual Rotary Swim for Reading.

If you live in Bruce Rock and would like to know more about our reading and other programs, look Alison up. She’s always ready to help and keen to talk about what we have to offer.

Kero O’Shea
Secretary
Rotary E-Club of Western Australia Inc. (“E-WA”)

Our Banners Tell Stories

the banner we use to promote the RYPEN youth development program

RYPEN – our life-changing leadership and personal development program for young people aged 14-17..

Our 2020 Banner to promote the Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading Swim Banner 2020 final

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading adds value in lots of different ways.

Every Banner Tells a Story

Our Banners tell stories.  Consequently, we’ve invested in several banners over the years, to share the stories of the Rotary causes and projects that we love.

This year, we’re preparing for our first (leap) birthday party and 6th Swim for Reading, so we’ve acquired new banners to reflect our passion for what we do.

  • Firstly, we needed a new flag for our Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading. We started with a new banner for the first Swim for Bruce Rock Kids in 2015. Then we renamed the event when Narembeen and Quairading entered in 2017. We took care of lots of other things, but put off buying new livery. This year we decided it’s time for a new flag!
  • Secondly, we want to promote the popular Rotary Youth Program known as RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment). RYPEN is a life-changing personal and leadership development camp for young people aged 14-17. RYPEN is on offer to all the young people who take part in the Swim and fundraise.  It’s a core element of our conversation with the young people and the community about the Rotary Love of Reading program.

Swim Banner Busts Myths

Importantly, the banner for the Rotary Swim for Reading busts a few myths.   Why hold a swim to encourage reading? Here are four good reasons:

  • Firstly, the Swim raises funds for reading programs in schools, so it’s about tangible results.
  • Secondly, the Swim highlights the vital link between healthy body (swimming) and healthy mind (reading).
  • Thirdly, the Swim encourages good citizenship by asking kids to work for their schools.
  • Lastly, the Swim develops young leaders through RYPEN, the reward for those who respond to the call.

So please, take a moment to look at our banners and reflect on the stories they tell.

Kero O’Shea
Swim Director 2020
Rotary E-Club of Western Australia Inc. (‘E-WA”)

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading Needs You!

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading Needs You - image shows a couple of kids sitting on a bean bag readingThe Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading needs you!

The Swim is on at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on Saturday 22 February 2020, starting at 1pm.

The formula for the Swim is pretty simple.

Firstly, the Swim supports three schools:

Secondly,  we promote a love of reading and raise money for reading in local schools via the Swim.  Importantly, we ensure that all funds donated go to the nominated school(s). There is no overhead deduction. We’re all volunteers.

Thirdly, we recognize the efforts of young people who fundraise for their local school and participate in the swim. We value the efforts of these young leaders. Those who fundraise and participate will be in the running for a Rotary youth development program for 14-17 year olds. We’ve nominated more than 20 teenagers for the youth program since 2017.  In 2020, we’re planning to send lots of youngsters on the program.

Want to raise funds for your school’s reading programs? You can!
It’s easy as 1-2-3:

  1. use the accompanying Sponsorship Form  to collect sponsors or go to https://www.chuffed.org/project/ewarotary-wheatbelt-love-reading-2020 to contribute online. The online option is brilliant! It enables friends and family anywhere to sponsor swimmers
  2. register for the swim (see attached form) – Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading)
  3. participate in the fun on 22 February at Bruce Rock pool.

Questions? Email us at swim@rotaryeclubwa.org.au or have a chat with our Bruce Rock-based president-elect Alison Lockwood.

Let’s back our schools at the Swim!  Don’t leave it to others – the Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading needs you!

Kero O’Shea
Swim Director
Rotary E-Club of Western Australia inc. (“E-WA”)

 

2020 Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading Less Than 4 Weeks Away!

To: All Our Friends in
Bruce Rock, Narembeen and Quairading

The Rotary E-Club of Western Australia Inc. (“E-WA”) is pleased to invite you to our 2020 Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading.   This will be our 6th Swim and we’re planning our best ever!

We’re holding the Swim at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on Saturday 22 February 2020, commencing at 1pm.

The Swim is a fun event where our Rotary team, schools and the community come together to promote a love of reading and fundraise for reading programs in participating schools. We raise funds through sponsorship of swimmers, with funds going to school(s) nominated by the donor.

E-WA is proud to have increased support to school reading programs again this year and with your help we can do even more in future.

Alison Lockwood, our Bruce Rock based president-elect, is busy organising catering and local support for the Swim in preparation for her year as the leader of E-WA in 20-21. Chat with Alison about her plans if the opportunity arises!

We hope you can join us on the day to enjoy another successful Rotary Swim for Reading.

Want to know more?  Click here or contact us on swim@rotaryeclubwa.org.au.

See you at the Swim!

Kero O’Shea
Swim Director
E-WA

Shogo Williams – Matsuoka “
President
E-WA

Poster for 2020 Swim for Reading

Our 2020 Rotary Swim for Reading is on 22 February.

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading on 22 February 2020

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading is on again in 2020!

The Rotary E-Club of Western Australia Inc. (“E-WA”) is pleased to invite you to our 6th annual Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading in 2020. We’re planning our best Swim ever!

We’ll be holding the Swim at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on Saturday 22 February 2020, commencing at 1pm. A huge “thank you to our partners and sponsors at the Shire of Bruce Rock for their continuing support for our Swim.

The Swim is a fun event where our Rotary team, schools and the community come together to promote a love of reading and fundraise for reading programs in participating schools.  We raise funds through sponsorship of swimmers and all funds go to the nominated school(s).

We in E-WA are proud to have increased support to school reading programs again this year and with your help we can do even more in future.

Alison Lockwood, our Bruce Rock based president-elect, is busy organising catering and local support for the Swim in preparation for her year as the leader of E-WA in 20-21. Have a chat with Alison about her plans if the opportunity arises!

We hope you can join us on the day to enjoy another successful Rotary Swim for Reading.

See you at the Swim!

Kero O’Shea
Swim Director
E-WA		 Shogo Williams – Matsuoka
President
E-WA

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading Poster 2020

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading 2020 is on 22 Feb 2020 at Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre

 

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading on 9 March 2019!

1 in 3 Australians have literacy skills low enough to make them vulnerable to unemployment and social exclusion. Developing a love of reading in our kids can change that! We are partnering with Wheatbelt communities to help create a brighter future for country kids, but we need your support

About our Fundraiser

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading is a fun, annual event that brings together people of all ages to splash in the Bruce Rock Swimming Pool for a good cause. Funds raised support early childhood reading programs. Participating schools include Bruce Rock, Quairading and Narembeen. New schools are welcome to inquire via Swim Team Leader Jeff Anderson 0429 110 226. 

Participants can swim as much or as little as they like as it’s about getting wet and having a go – although some of the Wheatbelt young champions can’t resist a training opportunity!

https://vimeo.com/302203245

Join us at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre

Saturday 9th March

Swim starts 1:30pm

Registration from 1pm

 

Free Entry

Sausage Sizzle $5

Note all children and young people under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with authority to sign participation form.

Young people who participate in the Swim and fundraise for the reading programs that benefit early childhood students are eligible for selection for the Rotary personal and leadership program for 14-17 year olds (known as “RYPEN”) https://rotary9465.org.au/sitepage/new-generations/rotary-youth-program-of-enrichment

or the Rotary development program for 18- 26 year olds (RYLA) https://rotary9465.org.au/sitepage/new-generations/rotary-youth-leadership-awards-(ryla)

Swimmers:

Download a manual sponsorship form:

Set up an online fundraising page: https://www.chuffed.org/project/ewarotary-wheatbelt-love-reading-2019/signup

Supporters:

Sponsor an individual swimmer via their sponsorship form or make a general donation via our secure online fundraising page: https://www.chuffed.org/project/ewarotary-wheatbelt-love-reading-2019

About our Project:

Our online and offline fundraising supports reading programs in Wheatbelt schools. We partner with local schools and libraries to reward kids who meet reading goals with book vouchers. We also spread the message that reading, and storytelling is fun and important for ensuring the best outcomes in life. Schools who participate in the swim can earn bonus funds from Rotary on top of what they raise themselves.

We also run other online competitions during the year to reach the wider Wheatbelt and distribute grant funds from the Rotary Foundation to new participants. Last year, our Love of Reading Teacher Champion Award attracted video entries from schools and the champion teacher was Lauren Van Dongen from Narembeen. 

https://vimeo.com/302203245

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading on 25 March 2018

swimmers completing laps

2017 swimmers in action!

We are thrilled that three Wheatbelt schools will again participate in the Rotary Swim for Reading at Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on 25 March 2018. Quairading and Narembeen District High Schools will join Bruce Rock DHS at the swim for the second year running.

This year the Swim has been renamed as the “Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading” to help clarify the main purpose of the event. The Swim supports our Rotary Love of Reading program, which encourages young Wheatbelt children to read and be read to more, because they’ll develop better literacy skills that way.

The Swim will start at 10.30am on 25 March, with registration from 10am.

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading is a fundraising and community event for participating Wheatbelt schools. E-WA will provide reading grants to Narembeen and Quairading to top up swim fundraising by those schools. E-WA will continue to support Bruce Rock DHS by way of the successful Reading Rabbits and Reading for Life reading incentive programs, funds for which are raised via the annual Swim event. All three school communities will also have access to a number of RYPEN personal development programs (see below).

The Swim is a non-competitive event held to encourage participation by students and the community. The primary fundraising for the event is by way of sponsorship of swimmers.

Registration for the Swim on 25 March is from 10am, with swimming commencing at 10.30am. Entry will be FREE.

Incentives for Participants

Incentive #1 – Rotary Community Service Certificates

We will award Rotary Community Certificates to those who fund raise and participate in the Swim. These certificates will confirm that the recipient has supported their community and one of the participating schools by fundraising and taking part in the Swim. Community certificates are useful in many ways, including work experience and job applications.

Incentive #2– Places on RYPEN Rotary Personal Development & Leadership Programs for Young People Aged 14-17

The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) is a popular leadership and personal development program for young people aged 14-17. As in 2017, we will book a number of places on the RYPEN program for those who excel in their efforts on behalf of the 2018 Swim.  RYPEN places are in demand because the program is enjoyable, challenging and helps participants achieve their potential.

The Swim RYPEN pack, which includes RYPEN information and an application form, can be downloaded here.

Support Your School – Sponsor a Swimmer

You can support reading program development at your preferred District High School by sponsoring a participating swimmer from that school’s community in the Swim on 25 March 2017. Download sponsorship forms via these links:

Sponsorship Form for Bruce Rock DHS swimmers
Sponsorship form for Narembeen DHS swimmers
Sponsorship form for Quairading DHS swimmers

You’re welcome to come and cheer the swimmers on, too. Spectator entry to the Swim will be FREE.

We’ll have a sausage sizzle to deal with those hunger pangs, too. Only $5 per serve!

Want to Find Out More?

If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact:

Jeff Anderson – Swim Coordinator: 0429 110 226
or
Kero O’Shea – RYPEN Coordinator: 0408 802 490

Prepared by:

Kero O’Shea
Secretary
Rotary E-Club of Western Australia (“E-WA”)

Bruce Rock Swim 2017: All Three School Swim Posters in One Place

Here are all three Swim posters (Bruce Rock, Narembeen and Quairading).

Poster showing details of the Swim in Bruce Rock on 25 March 2017

Our 2017 Swim Poster for Bruce Rock

Narembeen poster promoting 25 March 2017 Bruce Rock Swim

Our 2017 Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Literacy poster for Narembeen

Bruce Rock Swim Quairading Poster

Our Quairading Swim Poster

The Rotary Bruce Rock Swim – How We’re Fundraising

The Swim is on Soon!

The Rotary Bruce Rock Swim is less than three weeks away, and we’re busily fundraising for the event!

Proceeds from the Swim will go to Vital Wheatbelt Literacy Projects

The Swim proceeds will go to vital literacy development programs at Bruce Rock District High School, and earn matching literacy grants for Narembeen and Quairading District High Schools.

We have three important fundraising channels for the 2017 Swim.

Our Rotary Club Members are Leading the Way with Donations!

Our Rotary Club parks cars at the Perth Makers Market to raise funds for charitable and community projects across Western Australia and internationally.   The members have decided to dedicate a portion of these funds to top up the generous contribution made to Bruce Rock Swim fundraising by our charity, The Rotary Foundation. These member-generated funds will flow to all three schools participating in the Swim.

Three people playing up to the camera

Having fun while parking cars – Members Kate, Sandra & Kero.

Offline Fundraising is Underway!

You may have seen the swim posters and associated offline sponsorship forms being used by supporters of each participating school. These sponsorship forms are school-specific and funds raised via a particular form will go to the credit of the school named on that form.

Copies of the school sponsorship forms are available for download from:
1.  Sponsorship Form for Bruce Rock DHS swimmers
2.  Sponsorship form for Narembeen DHS swimmers
3.  Sponsorship form for Quairading DHS swimmers

Our Online Fundraising via Chuffed.org is Flying!

In addition to these forms, we’re operating a dedicated account on Chuffed.org to give the Swim the best possible chance to connect with potential supporters anywhere in the world. Chuffed is a very convenient and quick way to contribute, with special digital “thank you” items to those who donate more than $10.

The great news so far is  that our account on Chuffed.org has received donations of more than $300 in support of the Swim and associated literacy projects.

Want to Find Out More?

More about the Swim soon, but if you have any questions regarding the event, please contact:

Alison Lockwood – President: 0432 129 658
or
Kero O’Shea – Swim Coordinator: 0408 802 490

Prepared by:

Kero O’Shea
Secretary
Rotary E-Club of Western Australia (“E-WA”)