LIII Citizenship

LIII went on a Junior Citizenship Course

Volunteers were on hand when the LIII girls visited the Farnham Fire Station last week. Representatives from the Police Service, the Fire Service, the Lifeboat Association and St John’s Ambulance all came together to pass on information about their services and the girls came away better informed about the important work that is carried out by the emergency services. Organised and funded by Waverley Borough Council, schools in the area were invited along to take part in what proved to be a invaluable experience.

We went to Farnham Fire Station and it was really enjoyable.

One of the many things that I learnt were the safety position to put someone in if they are unconscious and the rhyme was “please Miss, I have a toothache and I need the loo (there were different actions to each word).
Cassie

I really enjoyed going because now I feel safer if there is an emergency. I think that it was good because we are more prepared.
Jenny

A newspaper report on the LIII visit to the Godalming Council Chamber

On Thursday 31st January 2008, LIII visited the Godalming Council Chambers. Following a visit from Councillor Mrs Gordon Smith in the Autumn term, she had invited the girls to visit the Chambers to learn more how a Council works. This was all part of the girls’ work on ‘Citizenship’ - part of the PSHE curriculum.

“I didn’t think it would be interesting, but I spoke too soon,” quotes Lauren.

On arrival at the Council Chambers, the girls were met by Mrs Goodfellow - the Town Clerk; she had organised the details of the visit. While waiting in the corridor, there was excited chatter.
“We were very excited and nervous,” commented Alicia.

Finally, Mayor and Mayoress Gordon Smith arrived and everyone was led into the impressive “high tec” Council Chamber. Fifty seven chairs were arranged in a horseshoe shape facing the main desk at the front of the room.

One of the girls was appointed as ‘Mayor and Chairperson’ of the Meeting; “I was excited when I found out,” she is reported to have said.
Another pupil was ‘Deputy Mayor and Chairperson’; “My hand was really tired after all the writing I had to do!” she commented.
The final pupil sitting at the front, under the guidance of Mrs Goodfellow, was an excellent ‘Town Clerk’, advising the ‘Mayor’ on issues that were discussed.

“We all enjoyed adding our comments,” quotes Phoebe. “We spend an exciting hour and a half, using the microphones to take turns to contribute to the discussions.”
“Some of the issues were hard to decide,” added Ailsa.

During the meeting, the Mayor and Mayoress of Bramley joined the group and spoke briefly to the girls.

At the conclusion of the visit, the group enjoyed a drink and a kitkat in the ‘Mayor’s Parlour’.

Reporters: Phoebe and Ailsa

LIII interview the Mayor of Waverley

LIII: Thank you very much for coming to visit LIII. We enjoyed meeting the Mayoress of Godalming in the autumn term and then our visit in the spring term to the Godalming Council Chambers and meeting the Mayor of Godalming. It is very kind of you to offer to come and visit us as well.

Mayor: It is a pleasure to come and see you all. I know the Mayoress of Godalming enjoyed her visit with you last year. Did you know that I am senior to the Mayor of Godalming? I am the most important person in Surrey after the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey; above The Lord Lieutenant is the Queen. When a member of the royal family comes to Surrey I have to greet them.

LIII: How many members of the royal family have you met?

Mayor: I have met three royals: last week I met Princess Anne when she opened the new playground at Gosden House; I have also met Prince Edward and his wife Sophie.

LIII: How long have you been mayor and how much longer are you remaining in office?

Mayor: You are only Mayor for one year and I have fifteen days remaining. I have enjoyed the year very much and would like to stay on - if I could, which of course I can’t. My Deputy Mayor will become the new Mayor of Waverley. I will however, remain as a Councillor.

LIII: What do you feel has been your greatest achievement during your year as Mayor.

Mayor: Without doubt, I feel very proud of all the green initiatives I have begun and also have encouraged in the area. In fact, one newspaper has called me the “greenest mayor in England.” Let me give you a specific example: Waverley has some of the highest percentages of recycled materials. We recycle household glass, paper, cans and garden waste. The trucks are weighed as they enter the waste depot and weighed again as they leave; we can calculate how much waste material was deposited.

LIII: We see you have a photo of the Waverley coat of arms; could you explain it to use please?

Mayor: Certainly. The coat of arms is made up of images from all the different areas. The four boroughs are represented: there are the cranes of Cranleigh; the castle of Farnham; the river Wey for Godalming and the oak leaves from Haslemere.

LIII: Thank you very much. We wish you well for your remaining days in office.

Mayor: It has been a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you.

Some of the LIII girls and the Mayor of Waverley