Pupil’s dog day takes the biscuit Raising charity funds is just their cup of tea
Kids lapped up some educational fun and showcased their efforts to support man’s best friend at a doggy coffee morning.
Pupils at the Flexible Learning Centre, in Foxbar, organised an enterprise event with a canine twist, dedicated to their four-legged pals.
Youngsters made and sold dog biscuits to friends and family at the event, with all proceeds going charity Guide Dogs for the Blind.
They also gave presentations on the day, showing-off some of the work they had prepared as part of an understanding and caring for dogs’ course.
The coffee morning was organised to fulfil the enterprise component of the Princes Trust Award – a course that allows young people to gain a national qualification through a variety of hands-on projects and application of transferable skills.
Jenna, the border collie from Doggy Chillin’, and Marco, from Guide Dogs for the Blind, were also there to lend a paw throughout the morning.
The Flexible Learning base, which gives opportunities into education for young people in Renfrewshire who require an alternative route, offers both academic subjects and a host of unusual and challenging new ones.
Understanding Dogs is run by Colum Scriven and his Doggy Chillin’ team, this course allows young people to interact with Jenna and gain valuable skills in both working with animals and their own interpersonal and presentation skills.
Kimberley Roan McVeigh, acting principal teacher at Flexible Learning senior phase said the day went fantastically well.
She said: “The coffee morning was a huge success and the young people raised £75 to be donated to The Guide Dog organisation.
“Massive thanks to all the staff and students who put so much work into this amazing event.
The Flexible Learning school aims to provide a positive experience of education for young people who have disengaged from the conventional schooling system.
Staff focus on nurturing students and helping them thrive by developing their skills and qualifications in smaller groups.
The centre can make a massive difference in transforming the future of youngsters who dropped out of education for one reason or another with little or no qualifications.
One student said: “Coming to the base has made a massive difference to me and I have loved the opportunities given to try new subjects.
“I am grateful to have achieved qualifications that I previously didn’t think I would get.”