Following the launch of the Rotary Club of Waterfront’s (RCW) Whole-School Development Initiative, a series of school site visits and the selection of five primary schools, RCW took another important step forward on 23 September 2026 by bringing the principals together for a stakeholder workshop.
The meeting provided an opportunity for RCW members to present the proposed framework for the initiative and begin working with school leadership to translate the vision into practical areas of collaboration. Importantly, each school’s own vision, priorities and development goals will remain central to shaping the work going forward.
The initiative is structured around six interconnected pillars:
• Literacy, Learning and Reading Culture – Janet
• Food Security and Nutrition – Hamilton and Ralph
• Youth Wellbeing and Leadership – Tony and Mymoena
• Digital Literacy and Employability – Gabriel and Mymoena
• Environmental Sustainability – Ronnis, Nathalie and Ralph
• Community and Volunteer Engagement – Hamilton and Rotaract Club of Waterfront
All five principals from St Johns Primary, Monte Video Primary, Factreton Primary, Levana Primary and Boundary Primary School attended the workshop and expressed their appreciation and enthusiasm for being part of an initiative focused on meaningful, sustainable change. The discussion also surfaced opportunities to respond to challenges that extend beyond the classroom.
One immediate area of potential collaboration was teenage pregnancy, which the principals identified as a growing concern. This created an opportunity to explore a partnership with CRCH and consider how a coordinated, supportive approach could assist schools, learners and their communities.
From Vision to Action
The initiative is guided by a simple principle: sustainable development is achieved by working with schools, not simply doing things for them. The workshop therefore represented more than a presentation of plans. It was a step towards co-design, shared ownership and collective action, with RCW and its partners working alongside schools to identify priorities, strengthen capacity and develop interventions that can be sustained over time.
Schools are more than places of learning. They are important anchors within their communities, shaping future generations, creating opportunities and contributing to wider social and economic development.
RCW extends its appreciation to Shelley de Wet from The Bookery for her participation and contribution, and to Father Francois, honorary member of RCW and CEO of the Salesians, for hosting the meeting and for his continued advocacy in positioning schools to navigate the opportunities and challenges of the AI Age.
With the initiative now moving from launch into implementation, this workshop marks another important milestone in building stronger schools, stronger partnerships and stronger communities.🤝
