Newsletter 3 –March 2016

Great results for a Polish girls’ group to improve attendance and engagement

Ksenija Ivleva (Polish BSA) has worked with the EWO, students, parents and Support for Pupils in a high school to support a group of Polish secondary girls with very low attendance.

The aims for the group were: to improve the girls’ attendance and engagement

(for the school) To understand the experience of Polish students to build a supportive peer group to support the girls to be successful learners in a very different education system

Through the group, we learned that the students were affected by: Making a transition (from Poland to Scotland) which was not their choice at a significant stage in their education and

lives loss of established friendships. Family financial constraints and parents’ long working hours.

The group was a forum for girls to speak about the difficulties they were experiencing both in school and outside school. Ksenija worked with the EWO, EAL Teacher and school staff to find solutions to some of the issues they raised, resulting in better relationships between the girls and school staff, improved health and wellbeing, improved attendance and successful learning.

In Ksenija’s words “They aren’t the same girls anymore - disengaged, not interested in school life or home life with no plans for the future. Now, each and every one of them knows who they would like to become and what they need to do in order to achieve that. Some of them have left for college and are doing great, some will be leaving next year. In the group we have future psychologists, cooks, dance teachers, football coaches. Even though attendance is back to where it should be, we still run the group because it became a great forum for young people to express their opinions and views. We talk about everyday problems such as racism, homophobia, and the refugee crisis. The girls bring topics they would like to discuss and I can see how their views and opinions are changing, how they learn from other people's experience, how they want to change and integrate with others. I can see the difference in them and it makes me incredibly happy and proud.”

Additional Support for Learning Service101 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh EH16 4DSTel. 0131 469 2890

A Royal Visit Dayna Hagley, age 15 Young Mums’ Unit

Describes the moment she met the Duchess!

When I had my baby, Aiden-James, (AJ), last year, I had no idea that it would lead to me meeting the Duchess of Cambridge. I used to attend James Gillespie’s High School, but when I started my fourth year, I moved to Wester Hailes Education Centre, so that I could attend the Young Mums’ Unit to finish my education. All the pupils and staff were very excited when we heard that the Duchess of Cambridge was coming to visit the Centre on the 24th February to visit the Art Room which is based there. Before she arrived, all the school pupils were asked to line up outside in the quad, so that they could see her. I went to the crèche to collect AJ as I wanted to have him with me. The sun was out, and AJ was getting upset as the light was shining in his eyes, so we moved to the other side of the quad where there was shade. Shortly afterwards she arrived, smiled and waved to everyone, then made a beeline for AJ when she saw him. She said he was very cute, and asked what year I was in. She then congratulated me and said “I don’t know how you do it – well done.” She held his hand and AJ played with her flowers. Afterwards I felt overwhelmed with excitement and had a tear in my eye. A few teachers came up to me and asked me what we’d talked about. I couldn’t wait to get back to call my mum as I knew she’d be really proud of me. We watched the news that evening, and although someone was blocking me, you could see AJ in the crowd. I was disappointed that I didn’t have a good record of the event, but the following day, the school ICT technician shared his photos with the staff, and said that one of the photos of AJ and I meeting the Duchess was his “money-shot”. I’m so pleased that I’ve got a great memory and a photo keepsake to share with AJ when he is older.

Newsletter 3 - March 2016

Additional Support for Learning Service101 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh EH16 4DSTel. 0131 469 2890