St Aidan’s high school began running a reading ambassadors programme to bring S1 and S6 together and promote reading. Mr McCrory, an English teacher from St Aidan’s, started the programme to encourage kids from a young age to start reading and uses the help of the S6.
S6 and S1 pupils come together and read books to talk about. One of the S1 involved said “We get to talk to S6’s which is good because we don’t really get to talk to them. Their asking you what’s going on and they listen.”
Another girl when asked about if she liked reading more said “They don’t make us read what we don’t like. If I had nothing to do now I would pick up a book and start reading. When I start to read a book I get really interested in it,”
Category: Peer Advocates
First Years Transition From Primary to Secondary School
The beginning of the school year in August welcomes many new faces of S1 students at St Aidan’s. Over the past few weeks, the pupils have been settling into their new classes, meeting their teachers, and getting to know each other. However, transitions can be hard for people especially children going into a new environment.
We asked a group of first-year students their perspective on how their transition from primary to secondary school has been. Here are some of their thoughts.
Bethany Chalmers thinks that one of the best things about first year so far is that “you’re allowed to finish earlier at 2:55 on some days” Some first years found it difficult with the longer hours but are adjusting to having to be quicker to get home so they get to their training on time.
When Lucy Smith was also asked what the best thing about first year was so far, she answered, “The subjects. PE is my favourite subject and I like the trampolining,” Johnny Pell agreed and added that, “I liked it at primary but its better here,”
Sophie Marshall commented that one of the best things about first year is that “you’re allowed to use your phone, in primary school, you weren’t allowed to use them at all, you can also text your friends if you’re lost”.
Getting lost can be easy in a big school especially one you’re not used to. However, the peer advocate class, a group of 6th-year pupils, have been helping. When asked how they helped the first years said “The school gave us 6th years to take us around our classes. We got to know the basics of getting around the school. It took the pressure off them for being late” High school can be a scary place especially when you don’t know where you’re going. All the first years agreed it helped them and put them at ease.
Teigan O’Donnell mentioned that a big change from primary to secondary school is “being split from your friends in some classes” However as Ciaran McGuire said one of the best things about first year is “getting to meet new people,” One of the ways they are able to do this is through clubs and activities in school.
St Aidan’s does its best to offer a wide range of activities and clubs. It can help pupils meet new people and give them somewhere to go. The school library is also a popular choice for the first years. Ciaran McGuire said “I like coming to the library and just relaxing. I like the computers and the couches,” When asked about the activities Johnny Pell said “I go to the basketball. I like the PE clubs.”
The group of six stated that teachers such as Mr. McCrory, Miss Mohammed, Mrs. Large, and Mr. Wedlock have been helpful. The first years are also able to ask their peer advocates assigned to their classes any questions they have.
The six of them also expressed their excitement to make their way further up the school to get study periods, going on study leave, and going out of the school for lunch. They also look forward to taking part in more practical subjects such as hairdressing and currently are “looking forward to finishing our hangers in tech”. Science is also a favourite due to the experiments which allows them to learn hands-on and understand things better.
Mrs Fagan, the head of S1 commented she’s “looking forward to finding out all about them, when children first come into first year they don’t know what they’re good at, so we encourage them to go to extracurricular clubs such as sports, art, music or drama because it helps them find out what they’re good at which boosts their confidence and self-esteem and it makes them a much stronger individual”
St Aidan’s does its best to make the transition as smooth as possible for new first years. The most important thing is that they settle in so they can enjoy high school. We asked if they thought they were finally settled in and they said “Yes. It’s basically primary school but harder. It isn’t a massive change,” As a school, we are glad they’re settling in and look forward to the first years beginning their journey through secondary school and wish them all the best of luck.
Peer Advocate Article
Every year, a group of senior students are involved in the S1 buddy support system. There are currently 12 buddies and 10 peer advocates who help the new pupils settle in high school.
The purpose of the buddies is to allow the S1 students to have guidance and someone to open up to whenever they may need it. The peer advocates are also there to assist and are gaining a Youth Achievement award for themselves in the process. All senior students will be trained in child protection to ensure they know the importance of confidentiality.
Within the school, there is currently a games club that invites S1 students along in order to get to know the peer advocates and buddies who are there to provide a helping hand through their first year at high school.
As well as this, the peer advocates get involved with the S1 students in improving their reading skills and ensure they progress in their literacy skills.
Rachael Gardner, an S6 peer advocate said “It’s good being a buddy for S1 pupils as we are young people who have been through this, we can relate to them.” And when asked if the S1 students were settling in she said “The majority of them are settling in well however some are struggling with the social aspect of high school and making new friends, we are here to help them and we are trained in child protection so know how to deal with it.
Scott Young, also an S6 peer advocate was pleased to be achieving a Youth Achievement Award as part of the peer advocate course, it “helps improve UCAS applications and looks great on CV’s”
By Lauryn Omeike
