Friendly faces ease worries over school

Photo: Picture: DARREN ROBINSON

Saskia (l) and Jessica.

Friendly faces helping to make secondary school a better place to be have been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Saskia Edwards and Jessica Entwistle, Year 10 students at Oldham Hulme Grammar, have been key members of the peer-mentor scheme since they joined the school.

The scheme gives students someone to talk to about their worries and problems.

Dawn Wheldrick, IT teacher and peer-mentor co-ordinator, nominated the two girls for their hard work and leadership skills.

She said: “They have been part of the team since they were in Year 7 and have been trained in how to sort out any potential issues.

“They are also anti-bullying ambassadors and last year they co-hosted the North-West youth anti-bullying conference for schools across the region.

“The girls are normally leaders in whatever project they do and really instigate and move projects forward.

“They are trained to ensure issues don’t come to a head and they put what they learn into practice.”

Saskia, from Springhead, and Jessica, from Rochdale, both 14, were thrilled with the nomination.

Saskia said: “It was big shock to be nominated. Usually, its older students who get nominated for awards.”

Jessica said: “It’s a great achievement and honour to have been nominated.

“It’s nice to know as peer mentors were being acknowledged for what we have done.”

The girls said they enjoyed helping other students in school, especially making sure Year 7 pupils knew they were coming to a safe environment.

Saskia said: “Hosting the regional anti-bullying conference was sprung on us at the last minute but we gave a speech and introduced the other speakers.”

Jessica said: “It was fun because there were lots of different speakers and we learned what other schools were doing to tackle bullying.”