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Two school initiatives funded by the efforts St Sampson’s High pupils are delivering results.
Each year, hundreds of children from the school walk 11 miles to raise money for the Accelerated Reader programme and an online homework scheme. The West Coast Challenge, which is sponsored by Rossborough Insurance, is now in its seventh year and this year takes place on Friday 8th July.
St Sampson’s High assistant head Liz Dale said: "Thanks to the West Coast Challenge, the Accelerated Reader scheme is now available to pupils in years 7, 8 and 9. The overall aim is to see improved exam results because they are better readers and so we’ll be able to see the results next year when the first pupils to go through the scheme take their exams at the end of year 10. However, we have already seen some significant improvements in reading ability with some youngsters increasing their reading ability by two or three years in a few months.
"Show my Homework, which is an online portal where all homework is collated, was introduced just over a year ago and we’re now nearing the end of the first academic year. As a result of having it, we’ve seen increased engagement from parents and a noticeable improvement in homework being completed, and being handed in on time.
"Firstly, it brings the school together for a fun day out walking along the beautiful west coast which many students only do once a year with the school and secondly it allows us to raise money for projects which bring benefits to the students but that our allocated budget can’t cover.
"The support of Rossborough as our main sponsor and numerous other companies who provide refreshments, all of our costs are covered which means all the money raised by the pupils goes towards projects that directly benefit them."
Rossborough will be giving all the students and teachers a water bottle and a drawstring bag, which will be used as a goodie bag. Support also comes from The Channel Islands Co-operative Society, Waitrose, Healthspan and Sandpiper who provide refreshments.
Rossborough managing director Ian Stewart said it was clear from being at the finishing line in the past just how much the youngsters enjoy the day.
Mr Stewart said: "The West Coast Challenge is a great initiative which has a hugely important legacy. This year is Rossborough’s 80th anniversary of insuring the Channel Islands and so supporting the pupils at St Sampson’s High is one of the ways that we are celebrating that milestone. We wish them well, hope the fog stays away and fingers crossed they can raise even more than last year."
