11:20am Monday 8th February 2010
By Emily Roberts
SCHOOLCHILDREN had plenty to talk about at a special conference about community life.
More than 100 primary school pupils took part in the event, hosted by Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College (CBEC), where Basingstoke MP Maria Miller was the guest of honour.
The youngsters, all members of their school councils, shared their ideas about how to improve the community life at their schools. The event was also designed to help ease their move from primary to secondary school.
Mrs Miller said that it was good to have a close relationship between schools, adding: “It’s such an important time in a child’s life, moving from primary to secondary school, and trying to help that transition is very important.”
Nine schools took part in the Student Voices Cluster Conference.
A group of Year 11 CBEC students hosted the event, which is in its third year.
Pupils spoke about life at their school, including fundraising appeals, before listening to talks about Destination Basingstoke, Fair Trade and the Stroke Association. Youngsters were then able to try out CBEC facilities, and one group used the modern art studios to design their own flags, while another took part in African rhythm and drumming sessions in the music rooms.
CBEC head teacher Betty Elkins said: “The thing that came across to me was just how good our students were.
“I was bowled over when one primary school teacher said that CBEC students were not just helping the younger pupils but also checking they were alright.”
During the day, parents, governors and teachers took part in a discussion about rights, respect and responsibilities, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Kirstie-Anne Sangway, assistant head teacher of Manor Field Junior School in Brighton Hill, said: “We are going to take the ideas back to our own schools and see how we can make a difference.”
Richard Woodley, a PE teacher at CBEC, who organised the event, said that all the preparation in the lead-up to the event had been worthwhile, adding: “Our students were fantastic and the pupils who came along were a real credit to their schools.
“It was good to build relationships with the schools and school councils.”
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