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Teacher’s work recognised

Jackson Lavell-LeeBusselton Dunsborough Times
BSHS students raised over $26,000 for Tenderfeet this year.
Camera IconBSHS students raised over $26,000 for Tenderfeet this year. Credit: Supplied

Busselton Senior High School teacher Geoff Holt was given a World Teachers’ Day award for excellence in global citizenship education by the United Nations Association of Teachers on Friday.

The award recognised Mr Holt for his leadership, taking more than 150 students on their sixth annual Walk for Tenderfeet from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Sugarloaf Rock on Friday.

The student council at BSHS has raised more than $26,000 for a Tenderfeet School in Kibera, Africa’s biggest slum, in which life expectancy is just 39 years and infant mortality is among the highest in the world.

The walk followed a week of global citizenship education lessons for all students at the school, looking at human wellbeing, poverty, malnutrition, access to clean water, education and gender-equality issues, which are among the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

More than 150 students took part in the annual walk for Tenderfeet from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Sugarloaf Rock on Friday
Camera IconMore than 150 students took part in the annual walk for Tenderfeet from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Sugarloaf Rock on Friday Credit: Supplied

Mr Holt complemented the commitment and leadership qualities of his students.

“I believe that values are caught not taught,” he said.

“I am immensely proud of them and see this award as recognising their amazing commitment and actions as global citizens in trying to shape a fairer and better world.”

United Nations Association of WA director Rees Barrett commended Mr Holt and the BSHS students for their commitment to its “outstanding program.”

“We use the award to promote programs in schools that focus on global citizenship, we want kids to have the opportunity to see themselves as part of humanity and understand social systems,” he said.

“What they do in Busselton can really make a difference in Nairobi and around the world, this was an outstanding program because it did both of those things.

BSHS teacher Geoff Holt with the excellence in global citizenship education award
Camera IconBSHS teacher Geoff Holt with the excellence in global citizenship education award Credit: Supplied

BSHS vice-captain Sam Webster said students were “incredibly proud” to support hundreds of vulnerable children.

“We are incredibly proud to have supported hundreds of the most vulnerable children on the planet to get an education which is the only way out of absolute poverty.” Commented school vice captain Sam Webster.

“This year, with the help of our sponsors, we have raised well in excess of $6000, which is an amazing effort,” he said.

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