Home Educational insightsRothsay Netherwood’s Schools for Schools project

Rothsay Netherwood’s Schools for Schools project

Posted: 29 April 2019

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About

In response to a devastating hurricane that left a community in need, ‘Schools For Schools’ is a student-led initiative to build a school out of up-cycled shipping containers. This eco-friendly solution helps to re-purpose around 3,500kg worth of steel (per container) and hugely benefits a community in need.

The container school is destined for the Kalinago Territory of Dominica, which was heavily affected by Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph wind speed. The hurricane force resulted in intense storm surges, torrential downpour, overflowing raging rivers, and extremely high winds. The hurricane swept across the island and left 31 people dead, 37 missing. 65,000 people, around 80% of the population, were directly affected and more than 90% of roofs were damaged or destroyed while power and water supplies were disrupted, and entire crops destroyed.

The shipping containers which were originally built to withstand 100 mile an hour winds and 50-foot waves are tough and durable, making them an ideal shell for a classroom in tropical Dominica. The customised shipping containers will offer a safe and much-needed learning space for children affected by the storm.

Planning

Grade 11 student, and Kurt Hahn prize winner Heather Chisholm conceived of the idea to build a school out of retired shipping containers for a community in need after attending a local festival centered on the up-cycling of containers.

The plan is to use two shipping containers to make the main structure of the school. A group of people, perhaps members of the school or greater community, would work on, build, and decorate the school here. Once it is completed, the school would be shipped to an area of need. Shipping lines ship directly out of Saint John to the Caribbean, including Dominica.

As more items have been secured, such as the location and the actual shipping containers, Heather has rallied a group of 24 students to form five different committees to help complete the intricacies of the building and design of the school, to continue fundraising and compile the learning stations and teaching tools for the preschool.

Activity

Fundraising: From bake sales to Farmers’ Markets and everything in between, we are using every opportunity possible to raise money for the project. As well as fundraising to cover the price of the shipping containers, building materials and labour costs, the team have also been fundraising to cover the following items for the classroom:

Construction:  The construction has been a very interesting part of the project. The first phase was to design a plan that could be shipped and would fit the needs and regulations of the recipient. Working with local engineers and architects, we incorporated innovative designs, such as a roofing structure that can fold up upon arrival at the site. Once we had received the containers, the next step was to have local volunteer businesses offer their expertise cutting and reshaping the containers. Then RNS students had the opportunity to get their hands dirty and help with painting the structure. Our next step will be to install windows, insulation, and electrical, and, once again, RNS students will have the opportunity to work with local businesses and learn about this phase of the construction. In an effort to furnish the school and provide supplies, we will be hosting a classroom furniture and school supplies drive in May.

Once the school is ready to be shipped, it will be sent to Dominica where the site is currently being prepared to receive the school. We hope to send a group to Dominica to help with the set up.

The school: The school doors aim to be open in September 2019 in the remote Kalinago Territory of Dominica, which was heavily affected in the fall hurricane season. The school will be a non-for-profit Montessori preschool backed by two local NGOs, WAIKADA and Aywasi, seeking to provide a holistic and meaningful curriculum aimed at fostering creativity, a love for learning and inculcating a more disciplined and whole-hearted approach to learning and to life – all things that we strive for at RNS as well.

Challenges

A few challenges that we have encountered along the way have been amassing the materials, sorting out the logistics (for example, the building codes and restrictions in the Caribbean and an inspection for shipping), as well as sticking to a set timeline as the project is fairly complex. The challenges have allowed us to develop and build stronger designs and plans, and we are continuously working towards our end goal. It has also been very rewarding working with our many wonderful volunteers, but challenging as well as we have had to be mindful and respectful of their time and schedule.

Impact

The goal of this project is to teach students in the greater Saint John community to think globally and learn new skills, which will in turn provide young minds in Dominica with a future and education. Teaming up with local companies and organizations, students will get the opportunities to use their hands and learn new skills with architects, engineers, welders, electricians, as well as learn about design, presenting and pitching projects, advertising, and much more. Schools for Schools is a project started by students for students that will change lives.

Advice

Author: Jennifer Roos, Communications Coordinator, Rothesay Netherwood School

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