Joining A Club #SSAmazingAchievements
By Jeannette | January 29, 2014
When D joined her special needs school nearly 4 years ago now, I was conscious of 2 things:
1. Firstly, that she was so, so much happier and more comfortable with the smaller class sizes and higher staff ratio, the classes are generally staffed with 4 staff, to 8 pupils
and
2. She was very much in the minority, as far as gender was concerned. The ratio throughout school must be 85% boys, 15% girls.
The second fact makes her very popular in her class, I think she currently has 3 “boyfriends” but it also means that she misses out on befriending girls and gaining a few of those social skills which are evident in any mainstream playground.
There was a new girl who joined both the school and her class last September, a girl with differing disabilities but a potential buddy for D.
The school were keen to settle the girl in and ensure that she enjoyed her time at school and a once-a-week lunchtime club was established. A Friendship Club.
The attendees were D, the new girl and another girl from another class. I get the impression that the attendees were carefully picked for their shy, gentle natures (for instance, a further girl who picks on D was not invited) and they did gentle, girlie things that wouldn’t necessarily occur in a boy-orientated class, for example, beading, crafting and drawing.
At first D was quite apprehensive about the weekly club but gradually, she looked forward to it and could not wait for each week’s session.
The club has now ended but all the girls got a certificate (D loves certificates) of attendance and a friendship bracelet.
I’m so proud of D for agreeing to attend what would have been an unfamiliar activity and enjoying it. Very impressed that the school had that initiative too.
The staff member who ran the club also told the girls that once they are in the secondary school part of the school, they might have the chance to attend Beauty Club, this is where an external manicurist comes in and gives them manicures and teaches them about make-up. Another fantastic idea and something my sparkle-loving, glittery nail varnish-loving girl cannot wait for!!
I’m linking this post up with @EthansEscapades for Small Steps Amazing Achievements.
The picture above is from an app that D loves to do.
12 Comments
Marylin on 29th January 2014 at 4:12 pm.
What a fantastic idea. I’m so glad D gave it a chance!
Also love the idea of the beauty club. It’s a great way to learn about something that, in this day and age, is really important to most women, and how to do it properly… brilliant! They should do that at every school. Seeing some of the lassies from the local secondary school here in make up makes me cringe, thick foundation that’s not blended at the neck and looks like it could be taken off with a spoon. Such a shame!
Jeannette on 31st January 2014 at 11:34 am.
Thanks Marylin, I agree, we go past a secondary school everyday and it does look troweled on, sometimes less can be just as effective 🙂
Susan Mann on 29th January 2014 at 4:26 pm.
Way to go D x
Jeannette on 31st January 2014 at 11:32 am.
Thanks, it was fab to see her confident and happy 🙂
Sara (@mumturnedmom) on 30th January 2014 at 2:25 am.
That’s really lovely x #SSAmazingAchievements
Jeannette on 31st January 2014 at 11:31 am.
Thanks Sara, she really enjoyed it and is very proud of her certificate, so pleased the school ran it 🙂
Stephs Two Girls on 30th January 2014 at 8:50 pm.
Wow beauty club sounds like a fab idea! We all need a little pampering! Well done her for taking part in the friendship club. I’m thinking we may need to go the small class sizes way ourselves… x over from #SSAA
Jeannette on 31st January 2014 at 11:30 am.
Thanks Steph, she absolutely can’t wait for Beauty Club and I’m sure the manicurist will leave a much neater finish than I can. Smaller classes definitely work for D, good luck with your quest x
Jane Roberts on 4th February 2014 at 7:52 pm.
What a fantastic thing to do for the girls and you must be so glad that they are aware and acted on the situation. A beauty club sounds fantastic. I’m glad D enjoyed it, I hope the girls continue to mix even though the club has ended.
Thanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
x
Jeannette on 7th February 2014 at 10:14 am.
Thanks Jane, the school does run some good iniatives, she’s really looking forward to Beauty Club in a few years 🙂
rebecca beesley on 5th February 2014 at 9:15 pm.
that sounds like she has done so well. So glad she enjoyed the club too. xxx
Jeannette on 7th February 2014 at 10:14 am.
Thanks, me too 🙂 x