Le Rondin pupils brave the weather in Herm

Thursday 13 June 2019

As part of this year’s annual Rotary KidsOut Day, staff and children from Le Rondin Primary school along with Rotarians from the Rotary Club braved a rainy start to their day in Herm.

The annual trip to Herm took place yesterday, as part of a national scheme which has become the single biggest outing for disadvantaged children in the UK since the very first trip which took place in 1990.

The rain did not appear be dampening anyone’s spirits when they set off yesterday morning, with the children particularly eager to board the Herm Trident.

Teacher Mr Blanco gathered the group at the Liberation Monument at 10:00. Armed with plastic buckets, spades, sunscreen and water, the Le Rondin students were fully prepared for a day of beach games and activities.

Accompanying the group of 30 children and their teachers were 12 Rotarians from the Club, amounting to a total of over 50 people.

One of the year 2 pupils, Jake, took a trip to Herm two years ago when he was in Reception. Like the other students, he brought with him a colouring book and was looking forward to playing in the sand and hunting for seashells.

Mrs Evans, a teacher at Le Rondin, explained that the day was especially significant for some of the children and is something they will remember for a long time. For a portion of students, this trip to Herm would be their very first time leaving the island. 

“It’s lovely to see them looking back from Herm and processing that the island over the water is where they live” she said.

Planned activities for the day include games on the beach, following which the group will enjoy a pre-ordered lunch from The Mermaid Tavern. The group will then board the 14:35 return boat home.

“They’ve all got a bucket, a spade, a ball, a cap and a colouring book in their bags. Julia is also going to play some music and hopefully get a singsong going after lunch” said Hannah Laidlow, the Rotary Guernesiasis team leader.

Mrs Laidlow said that of all the events the Rotary Group organise each year, this one is the standout favourite.