|
|
|
The
Super Shining Stars
....
|
|
Taylor's
Story
Taylor was referred to the Dreamtime project in March 2007 by her Grandmother who was extremely concerned that Taylor, who would shortly be going
into her mainstream primary 7 class at her school (Eastern Primary), did not have any friends and found it very difficult to maintain
friendships for any length of time. Taylor said "she "wanted a circle of friends so she can have more friends".
Taylor's class and head teachers also had the same concerns, although Taylor attended mainstream class she was socially marginalized. Taylor's
circle was established and it was not long before Taylor felt she was part of her class as she now had the support of her Circle of Friends.
For example Taylor went to the school disco, met her circle at the weekends to go shopping , her circle all turning up to her birthday party
and arranging sleepovers, in turn leading to a happier, confident and included young girl.
Taylor and her Circle of Friends will soon be starting Secondary school in August 2008 (Grove Academy). To help with the smooth transition
from Primary to Secondary for Taylor, the same Circle of Friends will be having their weekly circle at the Grove.
Click
to see more pictures of Taylor.
|
|
The Super Shining Stars -some comments from evaluation forms.
|
|
Other
Stories
Circles
of Friends
|
|
“I’ve really enjoyed spending
time with my new friends and I can’t
wait to continue at Grove Academy”
- Justine circle member.
“I already spent time with Taylor
but I am spending more time with the other
circle members” - Shauna circle
member.
“I now feel like we are all friends”-
Justine circle member.
“It’s good to get involved
with other friends that you might not
talk to as much as your other friends”-
Heather circle member.
“The circle has widened Taylor’s
friendship group and peer support rather
than staff support”- Head Teacher.
“Regular opportunities for friends
to meet and thank you for the support
given to Taylor”- Learning Support
Teacher.
“Circle has been very successful
all the girls have been very supportive
and are an effective group to support
children with friendship issues/difficulties”-Class
Teacher.
“She has more confidence now; she
approaches her circle of friends without
being nervous or awkward she is much happier
now and looks forward to her circle meetings”
–Mum.
“Its good fun and I feel more comfortable
and less nervous when I am with my friends-Taylor
Focus Person.
|
|
Benefits
to the School
Our class lessons raise awareness of ability
(not disability), friendship,
inclusion, gifts and talents
amongst the wider peer group and make children
and young people think about how they might
feel and how they might act if they had
no friendships, a difficulty and/or didn't
understand what to do.
If a child is happier and has a better quality of life because they have a Circle of Friends, this has the potential to have a positive
impact on behaviours. The results of which are an increased participation in class and playground, a decrease in exclusion leading to
a more inclusive school environment.
Teachers have said that the class lessons
Dreamtime delivered had increased the children's
awareness and understanding of the ethos
of inclusion. Furthermore one teacher commented
that Dreamtime had covered the class's personal
and social development curriculum over a
four-week period, through the class lessons
we delivered. Teachers are also encouraged
to participate in the activities that are
part of the class lessons in order to increase
their
empathy and understanding of the child or
young person being socially marginalized
and/or excluded.
"The
fantastic work done by Dreamtime has benefited
the whole school community. We are extremely
grateful to them for all they offer to the
school" , Teacher.
|
|
Back
to Top
|
|
|
| |
|