Our S6 pupils are engaged a wide variety of community placements this year, from assisting in local primary and nursery schools to helping out at a Care Home. Below are some comments from our students on how these experiences have enabled them to develop a range of skills, preparing them well for life after school!

“Since returning for Sixth Year, it has been a privilege to be volunteering at Isobel Mair School. Working with the younger children, I have seen their confidence grow and develop. Having spent most of my teenage years mixing with my own peer group, working with these young children with a variety of special needs was a challenge which I fully embraced. I am working hard to build up relationships with the children and to gain their trust and respect. I have also learned that no matter what our disabilities and limitations are, with patience, tolerance and a sense of humour, we can all make a difference to each other’s lives.” 
Nicola Shaw 6a2

“Every Wednesday morning, I go to St.Cadoc’s Primary School and volunteer in a Primary 7 class. I normally assist the primary pupils with their Mathematics and English skills. It has been a good experience, especially as I want to go into teaching once I leave high school. Therefore it has given me a great insight into the classroom from teacher’s point of view rather than from a pupil’s point of view. This experience as made me realise just how much I want to go into teaching and has me strive for it even more.

It has also helped me to develop my communication skills as well as my leadership skills, as it has helped me to overcome nerves I experienced when speaking in front of large groups of people.”
Amy Hughes 6a2

“Isobel Mair is a great community placement as it has developed my skills in many ways. Working with children with special needs or who are disabled has allowed me to improve my patience and interpersonal skills, which are essential qualities needed for the future. Through my placement I have also learnt that each individual requires different levels of care and attention as well as being treated equally. The variety of needs required by the children reveals the versatile skills needed by volunteers, such as showing empathy and communicating in a variety of ways, e.g. verbally, physically, written.”
Daneyh Kenbar 6a7