Last Saturday a hugely successfully primary seven leavers party that was held at Suubi Secondary & Vocational College. All students who are currently in primary seven in Uganda will sit their final exams on November 3rd and 4th so their individual school usually organises a leavers party for them to celebrate completing their primary education. This year, as part of our marketing plan, we decided to invite all of Suubi's partner primary schools to join together for their leavers party at SSVC. This gave us an opportunity to showcase everything that our school has to offer and to highlight the things that set us apart from other secondary schools.
We were thrilled to have 16 primary schools turn up on the day, bringing with them a representative teacher and 262 primary school leavers. Each of these students and teachers were able to see with their own eyes, not only the impressive standard of the buildings but more importantly what the current SSVC students have been able to produce. Each of our five vocational subjects were on display. This certainly inspired everyone; students were talking about wanting to join SSVC in 2017 and teachers were planning to return to their respective schools to tell parents and future leavers about all the positive opportunities on offer at the school.
Our current SSVC students were also excited to be part of the day. They proudly set up displays to show the progress they have made in each of their chosen vocational subjects.
Tailoring students displayed the first items they made from cement bags, right through to shirts, dresses, skirts and gomezi that they are now able to produce.
Knitting students displayed the front, back and sleeves of jumpers, which had lead to them producing whole jumpers and scarves.
The welding team showed different stages of the desks they are currently producing. These will actually be used by 2017 intake on students.
The carpentry boys showed the seats and tops for the desk they have been making and also tables they had produced for the vocational training hall.
SSVC students preparing their displays
While many of the schools that attended were within walking distance, a number of them travelled from quite far away. Teachers from these schools explained that some of their students are very keen to join SSVC but were inquiring when we planned to add a dormitory section for boarding student as it is simply too far for them to walk each day. This certainly solidified our belief that we have made the right decision to be currently fundraising to construct a dormitory as the next phase of construction.
Some students from one of the distant schools arrived for the party in the back of a truck.
The day began with an assembly of schools who attended and the singing of the national anthem.
Proudly singing the Ugandan national anthem
Each school lined up for the assembly to create a colourful sight.
Then all students and teachers from the visiting schools had the opportunity to look at the vocational display. Representatives from each subject manned their respective exhibition and explained to the primary leavers, their teachers and other guests about their work.
The guest filed along the verandah of the main classroom block to check out the vocational display.
SSVC knitting students were happy to show the primary students their work and explain how it is done.
The tailoring group explained they are now capable of producing school uniforms for next years intake of students.
The primary students were impressed with the welding work, especially when SSVC student, Vincent ,showed them how the grinder works.
Teachers and the local chairman were suitable impressed by the items the wood work team were displaying.
As was the case when they visited the bricklaying and construction display.
With the vocational exhibition complete, students headed to the vocational training hall, that had been completely cleared out in preparation for dancing. It was now their time to really celebrate!
Each school lined up and every primary seven student was given a stamp to be allowed to enter.
Once inside each school was presented with a card to say thank you for coming and wishing them luck for their up coming exams.
Then it was time for the real party to begin. The music doomed throughout the afternoon; the primary students were joined by SSVC students - they all had a great time dancing right up until the last note was played!
What a party!
As we mentioned at the beginning, this really was a hugely successful day. It was amazing to see how far the current group of SSVC students have come and it was wonderful to see all of the students having such fun.
I am very sure everyone who attended will be talking positively about SSVC for a long time to come. What perfect word of mouth marketing!
Comments
Post a Comment