Pupils aiming for A-level in helping others

By Kelly Eve Education reporter

Last updated 09:14, Friday, 10 October 2008

SIXTH-FORMERS from a Carlisle academy are preparing to visit orphanages in India as part of their new A-level studies.

Heading east: Greg and Alex Queenan, front, with other Richard Rose Central pupils who are travelling to Goa in India to help children in orphanages there as part of their A-level studies

Year 12 teenagers at the Richard Rose Central Academy taking A-levels in geography and the new subject of world development will be travelling to Goa next February.

Students will have to each raise £1,000 to help fund the trip but it is hoped Cumbrian organisations and businesses will help support the trip through goods, services and/or donations.

The new link with Goa is being developed thanks to the efforts of teachers Sue Deeble and Penny Ritson, who are trustees of the Carlisle Overseas Aid Trust (COAT).

The group supports small projects and communities in developing countries and for the last two years Sue has been supporting two orphanages in Goa.

Now she plans to take students across to help carry out improvements and meet people in the area.

Sixth-formers preparing for the February half-term trip are; Claire Smith, Laura Taylor, Declan Conley, Chris Humpleby, Jennifer Cocker, Max Conway, Beth Johnston, Jamie MacIntosh, Chris Law, Kim Ostridge, Greg Queenan, Loren Gibson, Alex Queenan and Louise Gallagher.

Kate Holt, director of 14 to 19 education at the Richard Rose Federation, said: “The opportunity to visit Goa is allowing the students to get involved in world citizenship.

“I am deeply committed to converting classroom learning into real experiences for students and very pleased that, through the work of such teachers as Sue Deeble and Penny Ritson, our students can now benefit the lives of children in Goa.

“We would love to hear from anyone who would like to support this project either by donations or by lending us their expertise to ensure the students’ visit is as effective for those orphans as possible.

“Sometimes it can be easier to send goods to areas like this instead of cash donations.”

Donations and offers of support can be made by emailinggoa@richardroseacademies.org.