Well a lot has certainly been happening at Suubi SS since our last update. The place was a hive of activity throughout the remainder of the school holiday period as tradesmen worked flat out to complete as much of the new classroom block as possible, before the students arrived back for their full time academic studies to begin for 2018.
It was exciting to see the roofing bush poles going on, which would eventually support the iron sheets. Some of the builders scaled the heights, while others remained on the ground to prepare poles and continue work in classrooms.
It wasn't long before the poles were completed around the entire structure
And the concrete for flooring was underway inside the classrooms.
But it wasn't just the adult building team that was hard at work, students also made the most of the remaining academic holiday period and focused on their vocational studies. Every department gain real life, hands on skills; the welding and woodwork teams made items required for the new classroom block, building students physically worked on the construction and knitting & tailoring students worked on uniforms for the 2018 students and reusable pads to be distributed to all of the girls. Now that really is living up to the Suubi SS motto of 'Integrated For Meaningful Education.'
Welding students began by carefully measuring and cutting the materials for the windows and door of the new classroom block
And then set about welding them together.
With all students given the opportunity to work on each area of fabrication, they gained valuable hands on experience as the large number of windows and doors required began to mount up.
Meanwhile, carpentry students were busy making the tables for the new library, science and computer labs. Pieces of timber firstly needed to be joined together to create the table top.
Each table top was then planed to create a smooth finish.
And once again, after all the students learning opportunities, they could see the fruits of their labour and feel proud of the fact that what they had created will be used in classrooms in the not to distant future.
Inside the training hall a special training was being carried out for the tailoring students to learn how to make reusable pads. Through studies carried out in Uganda it has been found female students miss up to eight days of study, each school term, because they are having their periods. This translates into 11% of the total learning days in a year. This valuable time missed in class is hard for the girls to make up and may account for why girls are dropping out of high school. With this in mind and with support from Lisa Hynes, who had recently learnt more about this during a recent trip to Uganda, we were pleased to be able to teach Suubi SS students the valuable skill of making reusable pads. This is sure to make the challenge of the girls monthly cycle far easier to cope with and lessen the number of absent days. What another fabulous initiative.
The instructor for the workshop guided the girls through each step of making reusable pads. They began with cutting the pieces required from different types of fabric; padding and the moisture proof layer.
She then oversaw as the students sewed each pad together using both machine and hand-stitching.
With concentration and practice the students mastered each step of the process.
By the end of the workshop the students had produced 100 pads. The participating girls were happy to be the first to receive their pads and others were distributed to all other girls in the school when the new school year began.
Our aim is to continue to produce pads throughout the year to distribute to Primary 7 girls in schools around the area. The Suubi SS girls will visit the schools during the distribution and talk to the younger girls about the importance of using the pads to lessen the disruption to their education and also encourage them to continue on to secondary education. While the pads will be invaluable for the student who receives them, it will also give the Suubi SS students the opportunity to hone their speaking and mentoring skills. What a wonderful way to advertise Suubi Secondary School's integrated academic and vocational approach to education.
Since the 2018 school year commenced on January 29th things have certainly not slowed down. The construction is continuing full steam ahead and new Senior 1 students have joined past pupils for what is sure to be another exciting year ahead.
With the new classroom block quickly taking shape the students are excited by the thought of being able to utilise the library and science & computer labs during their 2018 academic classes.
We were also thrilled to have Nnanyonga Sylvia, from our Smiling HeARTs group, join Suubi SS in Senior 1 this year. Our aim is to have more of these very special children in years to come, giving them an opportunity to integrate in to mainstream secondary education, while at the same time tapping in to Suubi SS's unique academic and vocational approach. Sylvia will pass on the art and craft skill she learnt from Smiling HeARTs to other special needs children from the village. What a perfect way to pay forward her skills and help someone else. Well done Sylvia!
On the day students started back for the new school year the windows and doors they had produced over the holiday period also went in........and lots more has happened since then. Check it all out:
Windows that will have glass in them were installed in the front of the new classrooms
while full metal shutters, that can be opened to let in light, were installed on the back side of the structure for better security.
The ceiling has also been started. Firstly wire mesh was installed by the team standing on specifically made scaffolding.
Cement was then added from above (this stage) and was later rendered from underneath - quite different to the plaster ceilings in Australia!
The iron sheets were going on simultaneously outside.
Once the ceiling had dried enough the rendering of walls could commence, both inside
and outside.
It was very exciting to get photos of the new building with the completed roof yesterday, but equally as exciting to see the students during their agriculture class, working in the compound that is now packed with fruits and vegetables. It is great to see the hard work of last year now bearing fruit and providing a meaningful and sustainable environment for our students to learn practical agriculture.
How exciting to see the new structure continue to move ahead with each day.
Providing the students with hands on learning opportunities in the school compound, rather than learning agriculture entirely from a text book in the classroom, is another fine example of what sets Suubi SS apart.
With the added bonus of students and teachers being able to enjoy the produce from the garden. Everyone is sure to enjoy this big bunch of matoke!
So as you can see, Suubi Secondary School is thriving on every level. Well done everyone, both in Uganda and Australia, together we can create hope and make a 'REAL' difference.
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