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5 new young SOROPTIMIST STEMSTARS shone a light on Women in Science/Tech during British Science Week

5 new young SOROPTIMIST STEMSTARS shone a light on Women in Science/Tech during British Science Week

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SI Weybridge & District soroptimists hosted a Year Group assembly on April 17th at Cobham Free School. This followed a successful launch of the British Science Week Poster Competition with the science teaching team during a February assembly. The SI #STEM team presented Soroptimist #STEMSTAR certificates and Amazon vouchers to 5 winning poster artists and 3 excellent runners up. The winners in Years 7,8 and 9 created posters presenting research information on “the impact of women over time on science and technology”. With so many excellent posters submitted by boys and girls (all created in a short time), judging was fierce and intense. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE WHO WENT THE EXTRA MILE TO ENTER! Standards as you can see were very high. The top 5 posters were submitted to the national #BSW competition; now we all eagerly await the news of the results. This #soroptimist

March – In Women’s History Month, Soroptimists congratulate students in Cobham

March – In Women’s History Month, Soroptimists congratulate students in Cobham

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Women’s History Month is an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women’s Day on March 8, it is observed during October in Canada, corresponding with the celebration of Persons Day on October 18. A weeklong observation in Sonoma County, California in 1978 was subsequently championed by Gerda Lerner and the National Women’s History Alliance to be recognised as a national week (1980) and then month (1987) in the United States, spreading internationally after that. Since 1987, Women’s History Month has been celebrated every March, with one of our favourite days of the year, International Women’s Day, taking place on 8th March. Join in recognising the extraordinary contributions, resilience, and accomplishments of women who have shaped our world. From trailblazing pioneers to modern-day leaders, Women’s History Month is a tribute to the strength, intelligence and indomitable spirit of women across the globe. #Weybridge

British Science Week showcased by Surrey Soroptimists at Careers Fair at Weybridge School

British Science Week showcased by Surrey Soroptimists at Careers Fair at Weybridge School

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Careers Fair in School Several hundred secondary school pupils attended a lively careers fair held at Heathside School Weybridge yesterday, March 4th. Weybridge based women soroptimists on the Girl STEMSTAR Working Party presented information from a number of education sources relating to study choices, post 16 GCSE study routes and a careers to boys and girls aged 11-18. The school’s timing was perfect with the event taking place during National Careers Week (4-9th March) and just ahead of British Science Week (8-17th March). National Careers Week is an annual event focused on helping students decide on career options as part of their pathway through subject choices and route of qualification.   Government and business investment in apprenticeships from age 16 upwards to adult learning is at an all time high. There are resources for adults, parents, students and sponsors including Nat West and others provide access

Soroptimists at School Assembly about British Science Week

Soroptimists at School Assembly about British Science Week

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The Weybridge and District STEM Team members are so appreciative of the positive welcome given at Cobham Free School in Surrey this week where there was a chance to help launch the British Science Week National Poster Competition during an assembly. It gave local soroptimists a chance to also advertise the #BSW insights and breadth and scope especially activities open to students and communities  for ‘at home’ science learning during March and over the year to come. Some 300 Year 7,8 and 9 pupils listened patiently to details of this year’s #BSW theme ‘TIME’.  A  soroptimist, herself a life scientist,  gave a 10 minute overview of the opportunities prevailing during #BSW for students and families to learn have fun and take part. She followed an inspiring short presentation by a female 6th former who plans a career in motorsport engineering . Our presentation highlighted not

Calling all Parents…and Students – In a muddle about Science or Careers..?

Calling all Parents…and Students – In a muddle about Science or Careers..?

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It’s National Careers & British Science Week! Next week is a key week in education with National Careers Week running from March 4th – 9th and British Science Week beginning on March 8th. There are projects to do at home, with friends  over the Easter break, competitions and exciting resources and helpful videos and guides available. We’d heartily recommend sharing these links with family and friends who have children at school or just graduating this summer. On March 4th we are exhibiting at a School Careers fair for 11-18 year olds. It’s made us reflect on our own experiences as parents, teachers, employers and mentors as we create materials to share.  In our STEM working party we have found a free education site of particular value in terms of aiding decision-making about both academic subject options and career planning for students evaluating career paths via

Weybridge Soroptimists Launch ‘STEMSTARS Project’ in schools as British Science Week (#BSW) approaches

Weybridge Soroptimists Launch ‘STEMSTARS Project’ in schools as British Science Week (#BSW) approaches

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As we approach British Science Week in March, Weybridge and District soroptimists are very excited! Our partnerships with two local Elmbridge secondary schools will launch. Following combined efforts from the club's  STEM Working Party and the scientific and academic leads in both schools, ideas simply flowed. We have made steady  progress and STEM soroptimists are involved in two big events at the schools in the next week. February 29th - A school assembly for Years 7-9 where together with the Head of Science and a 6th Form science student, we will launch the #BSW National Poster Competition to local students. The theme is on how TIME has impacted science and could impact in future.  Boys and girls will be invited to design a poster on this topic for the March deadline. Soroptimist charity  funds will provide prizes for up to 5 posters selected by year group
River Thames at Cowey Sale is ORANGE!

River Thames at Cowey Sale is ORANGE!

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  Following on from the success of our monthly #OrangeCafes, this year we upped the scale of our activities to mark the start of #16days of activism. Saturday November 25th was a cold but bright winter’s morning. A group of club members met up for a ‘Walk & Talk’ Café Crawl along the Thames towpath between Walton & Weybridge. Our aim was to raise awareness of #16Days and the UN Day for the elimination of violence against Women. We were joined by Soroptimist sisters from the region as well as family members & the Outreach team from #Northsurreydomesticabuse. We  met at the Cowey Sale café then we all walked & talked all the way to D’Oyly’s Café. The island setting offered a great photo opportunity on the bridge across the river. Even the tree in the background was orange! We were all wearing orange &

Soroptimists learn about UN defined “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan first hand

Soroptimists learn about UN defined “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan first hand

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Yesterday SIGBI Day of Action, Southern region met near Winchester. Member Helen Porter spoke about her positive experience as a Soroptimist delegate attending UN CSW 67 in New York and highlighted next years theme as being so aligned with SI charitable goals, that of ‘poverty’. This was followed by a passionate and truly humbling presentation by the former Women’s Minister in Afghanistan. A Soroptimist, Hasina outlined the realities in Afghanistan since the Taliban assumed control. The lack of humanity shown and shortages in food, utilities, medicines and water is impacting all but especially women and widows who have no menfolk. Students and girls who have no access to education and those who live in fear following their involvement with peace and international liaison are living in constant distress. Women are dying early due to lack of access to healthcare and medicines. Hasina’s international evacuee links

Soroptimists ‘cream it’ for charity at Weybridge Community Fair on June 24th

Soroptimists ‘cream it’ for charity at Weybridge Community Fair on June 24th

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After several weeks of Soroptimist liaison with Elmbridge CAN at the fantastic Weybridge Community Centre, we have a team ready to bake and host a superb Cream Tea and Prosecco pop-up venue with our Ukrainian partners. The festival is in full swing and the Pop-Up Cream Tea venue is open from 12pm to 6pm on June 24th. Open to all… come by when you’re shopping in town. Arrive early to enjoy the best choice of home baked gateaux, scones, cakes and children’s treats, a chilled glass of prosecco even! Come later to rest your feet or buy any residual cakes. Every £ you spend will aid the sterling work of Elmbridge CAN a community, volunteer-powered, non-party political charity,  based in Elmbridge. They aim to build a culture of welcome to refugees within the local community, and work to achieve the settlement of more refugees in the Borough

Yummy Soroptimist Cream Tea at the Weybridge Festival -Saturday June 24th – Save the Date!

Yummy Soroptimist Cream Tea at the Weybridge Festival -Saturday June 24th – Save the Date!

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Soroptimists are getting ready to host the Cream Tea at the Weybridge Festival on Saturday June 24th     On June 24th Weybridge and District Soroptimist Club will be hosting the @WeybridgeFestival Cream Tea with local Ukrainian women and girls. Help us all raise much needed funds for @ElmbridgeCAN (https://www.elmbridgecan.org.uk/) the sponsor and fantastic local charity which support refugees in so many ways. Rest your feet for a while with friends over a pleasant cream tea and a glass of prosecco even! Find the Festival Tea Cafe at the Weybridge Community Centre accessed off Churchfield Road (https://www.allaboutweybridge.co.uk/shops-services/weybridge-centre-for-the-community), look out for the posters and sign posts. Open from 2pm-4pm https://www.facebook.com/groups/760726435635528 https://www.facebook.com/SoroptimistsElmbridge https://sigbi.org/weybridge/