‘SDC Club in School Day’ Slated for Clarendon on Feb. 27

By: , February 26, 2025
‘SDC Club in School Day’ Slated for Clarendon on Feb. 27
Photo: Contributed
Official flyer for the Social Development Commission (SDC) Club in School Day event, slated for Bucknor Community Centre in Clarendon on Thursday (February 27).

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The Social Development Commission (SDC) will bring together more than 350 students, teachers and community stakeholders on Thursday (February 27) for an inspiring day of youth engagement and empowerment, when it hosts the inaugural ‘SDC Club in School Day’.

This event takes place at Bucknor Community Centre in Clarendon under the theme ‘Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Unity’.

The initiative will bring together 13 SDC school clubs from 10 Clarendon communities, creating a platform for students to showcase their talents, participate in competitive sporting events and engage with key agencies and financial institutions.

The day will feature activities that seamlessly blend recreation with education. These include football and netball tournaments; cultural performances; interactive quiz performances; financial literacy workshops; and career and community resource booths.

This dynamic engagement aims to strengthen connections between schools and communities, while fostering leadership, volunteerism and financial literacy among young people.

“We see our clubs as more than just extracurricular activities; they are incubators for responsible citizenship,” said SDC Acting Deputy Executive Director, Samuel Herron.

He added that through the event, “we will not just build skills by connecting students with businesses and agencies but we’re building a network of support that bridges schools and communities”.

Representatives of HEART/NSTA Trust, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) and the Clarendon Health Department will be in attendance to engage students in discussions on career pathways, volunteerism and health and wellness resources.

Beyond fostering academic and extracurricular excellence, the event will further reinforce the values of volunteerism and governance.

“When young people understand their role in community development, they become advocates for positive change. This day is also about showing them that their voices matter,” Mr. Herron stated.

He indicated that Thursday’s event “is just the beginning for Clarendon, and a stepping stone for the expansion of SDC school clubs across Jamaica”.

“Our vision is to see a Clarendon where every student feels equipped to lead and uplift their community,” Mr. Herron added.
SDC Clarendon Parish Manager, Baldvin McKenzie, who echoed these sentiments, also noted that the booths being mounted at the event “aren’t just tables; they’re doorways”.

“Every conversation about careers, health or volunteering, plants a seed for Clarendon’s future,” he underscored.

With more than 20 organisations partnering for the SDC Club in School Day, the agency is committed to ensuring the event becomes an annual staple.

Last Updated: March 10, 2025