May at Dalbeattie High School brings SQA exams for senior students, but also a little bit of a change with an “alternative timetable” for some.
This year, students have been getting involved with a range of projects to develop skills and give something back to the community.
The first task was to build a large cardboard space rocket for the children at the nursery.
The finished rocket was carried across the campus and some friendly “aliens” then read stories and gave the nursery children a tour of the inside of the rocket.
The next project was to construct a stretch of boardwalk to allow runners and bikers to cross a drainage ditch on the school cross-country circuit.
The students designed and built the boardwalk themselves although help was gratefully received from Greg Cowan of Solway Plant Hire, who shifted a lot of earth in his mini-digger, and TAS in Castle Douglas who donated the timber and fixings for construction.
In the second week, students worked with staff from Loreburn Housing to pilot a brand new SQA “Tenancy” qualification.
Much was learned about the challenges of running your own household – something that lies in the perhaps not too distant future for some of these young people.
Unfortunately, the big plan for a residential expedition didn’t quite come together but day trips were made to visit Dumfries and Galloway College and there was time for baking with Mrs Houston, car washing to raise some funds, a round of golf at Craigieknowes and a venture out to the coast on the e-bikes with Thomas from the Dalbeattie Community Initiative.
