Sixth year Maths wizards are using their skills to help the new first years with their troubling times tables. The Sixth years are giving up their free time to work in first year classes. The aim is to help teachers by working with small groups and just give that little extra bit of support.
Mrs. McNally the teacher who is the driving force behind the buddies said that she had seen an “instant change” in the first years and enjoyed seeing the relationships form between them and the sixth years. She hoped that first years would be less embarrassed to take some of their problems to the sixth years. Due to the large number of buddies, maths teachers are able to tailor groups to certain subjects like fractions and multiplication. She joked that the buddies keep coming back, also pointing out that they are gaining experience in a classroom environment and helping them gain hours towards awards like Duke of Edinburgh and Saltire.
One of the sixth years, Advanced Higher Maths student Alfie McCabe told us that it was “definitely worth it” as it counts as volunteering hours for his Duke of Edinburgh award and “helps people while only giving up my own time”
A few of the first had their own high praise for their sixth-year buddies Katlin Mckgarrigle said the “sixth year were really nice” and “willing to help with anything”. Harry Fuller, another of the first years said that the “sixth years are really good at maths” and “Are very helpful”.
Currently there are 22 buddies helping with first years and due to their success, there are plans to include second years allowing more seniors to help.
Joseph Cruickshank & Wiktoria Orlicka
