Spelling is important. Books are important. Having your name on your own book that will help with your school work and learning is... well it’s just plain COOL. Despite this new age of auto correct, you only need to see the smiles on the kids faces when they each receive their own personal illustrated dictionary to see how beneficial they really are...

Dictionaries in Schools.

 

The Rotary Club of Waimate is very proud to be part of the Combined Rotary Clubs of South Canterbury who donate these lovely illustrated dictionaries to all Year 4 students in our schools. This is one project that enhances the Literacy focus for our club.

This project began in 2009 when an application to the Mid-South Canterbury Trust saw $30,000 for funding being allocated to the purchase of dictionaries for the first three years. In 2010 the first delivery of dictionaries was made. The delight on the faces of the children when they realise that these books are theirs to keep is pure magic. Each dictionary is personally named and it also has the Rotary Four Way Test in simple terms for the children’s reference. This is also an opportunity to talk about Rotary to parents and children.

 

After eight years this project remains a highlight of our many projects. Each year we endeavour to seek funding to ensure it continues. The clubs continue to combine for this project and we are indebted to the Rotary Club of Timaru who lead this for funding, ordering and delivery.