Best Chance

A Cheshire Christmas

Philip — Wed, 30 May 2007 00:56:54 +0000

With cheeks like roses, a nose like a cherry and of course a belly that wobbled like a bowl full of jelly, a young Santa Claus celebrated the spirit of Christmas with the Cheshire children.

Grade 2 boy

Philip — Tue, 29 May 2007 02:07:10 +0000

“At school I ran out of the school grounds and I used to kick the teacher. I used to throw things and I would kick the kids. I didn’t do my work. I thought it was clever when I did these things. One time I was suspended. I was always interrupting and saying rude words. I spoke rudely to people. I used to have someone with me because of my behaviour. Some kids were scared of me. I was a bully and a bit mean. Mum and the school decided I should go to Cheshire. I didn’t like it the first day because I had to do my work properly. When I screwed my work up and threw it in the bin I still had to do it again and I didn’t get to cook hot jam donuts on Friday. They smelt really good and I was jealous because I didn’t get any. I have decided to stay at Cheshire and learn to behave and have a great time.”

Grade 2 girl

Philip — Mon, 28 May 2007 02:07:52 +0000

“At my old school I did punch my teacher. I did hurt people. I did run out of the school grounds. I did scream and squawk. I used to push people over and run into people. Sometimes I would throw things. I was only allowed to go to school for a little bit of time. I used to hide under the table and not do my work. When I first came to Cheshire I was pretty naughty. I still didn’t do much work. I used to scream and squawk at the kids and Leonie. I would hide under the table and hurt people. One day at the farm I was mean to the chooks and to Bert and Nippy the birds. When I was naughty at Cheshire I got banned from the fun things. That made me really sad. I decided to be good. If I didn’t do my work I missed out on the fun things like cooking, games and doing art and I still had to do my work. My writing is getting good. My number work is getting really good. I am a pretty girl and a clever girl. Now I am being really good and I can do the fun things. It is better to be good, not naughty.”

Prep boy

Philip — Sun, 27 May 2007 02:08:32 +0000

“At kinder I was punching my friends, I was kicking them. I was saying rude words to my teacher and biting my teacher. I was not happy. Now I am a prep at Cheshire I am good. I do my work. I have fun. My friends like me. I am happy now and I smile a lot.”

Grade 5 boy

Philip — Sat, 26 May 2007 02:09:04 +0000

“I came to Cheshire because I was naughty and I couldn’t read or write. I didn’t like my school because the smart kids got all the help and I didn’t have any friends. Some people thought I was dumb and they teased me because I took tablets. At Cheshire I have friends and no one teases each other. I can read and write. People are nice to me. Before I came here I couldn’t read a book. I’m much happier, my brother can’t tease me now because I can do my work. I have people to play with. We have fun activities and I get attention when I need it.”

Parents of Grade 2 girl

Philip — Sat, 26 May 2007 02:00:14 +0000

“The whole experience was valuable! We appreciated the consistency of the teaching format and following through so that the children learn what is expected. In a year we have seen a HUGE improvement in our daughter. Both Sue and Leonie, along with others, have put in place expectations for the children that we have been able to reinforce at home. This has made a difference.

We have seen an anxious, frustrated young girl grow into a happy and confident child. This has impacted the family in a positive way. We are all happier and able to do the things a ‘normal’ family does, e.g. eat out, holidays, outings etc.

The change we suggest is to clone Leonie, Sue and Diana so that the school can be bigger and the kids can stay longer.”

Grade 2 boy

Philip — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:09:33 +0000

“I came to Cheshire because I hit people and threw sticks and dust bombs at people. I threw sand and kicked people. Now I have changed and I don’t hit people, kick people, throw sand, sticks or dust bombs. If you do the wrong thing you have to sit in the yard or in the foyer. If it’s really bad you miss excursions. I sit on the chair nicely and do my work. I like writing stories best and learning about bugs. It is better being good so you get to do the good things.”

Parents of Grade 5 boy

Philip — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:02:54 +0000

“Without the support of Diana, Sue, Leonie, staff and volunteers, in particular Don, my son and family would be in turmoil. He was making our lives tough in many ways. Cheshire was always there to give him, and especially me, the support I yearned for. He is much happier within himself.

I cannot express how grateful we are! THANK YOU!!!”

Grade 3 boy

Philip — Thu, 24 May 2007 02:10:02 +0000

“At my old school I was silly. I would run out of the classroom and I would lie and hurt people. I annoyed the kids in my class and I had to have a special teacher with me every day. I did not do my work. I chased other people and ran around the classroom. I did not come when the bell rang. I went to the out of bounds areas. I threw rocks and played in the dirt. I would bring dirt into the classroom. I snapped the chalk and poked the kids with a pin and pushed kids and kicked too. I had a meeting at Cheshire and Sue and Leonie told me I would have to behave every day or I would miss out on excursions and doing the fun things. I would have to stay at school and work. I have started to behave and I work at the farm and I do my school work. I had to make a big decision to stay or leave Cheshire because my behaviour wasn’t good. I decided to be good every day and to do my work. It’s so much better to be good than bad. I am going to keep being good for ever.”

Parents of Prep boy

Philip — Thu, 24 May 2007 02:03:16 +0000

“We valued the support given to the whole family and the supportive and encouraging program for our son. Everything that he needed was organised by the school. This took the pressure off the family so when he leaves we are rested and ready to step back in. He has become less nervous and he believes in himself much more at school. He has started to learn.

We cannot suggest any changes to improve the program. It has been perfect - supportive with clear direction.

Thank you for the safe, supportive place for children and families to go.”