The Arrowsmith Program

WAYNE STAGG

Head of the Arrowsmith Program

Student Voice - Gabby Watson & Tashi Lehmann

At our recent school Open Day on Thursday the 26th of July, Gabby and Tashi spoke about their experiences as Arrowsmith students. We were incredibly touched by their words, and commend both girls for speaking brilliantly in a public forum. Below are a copy of the speeches they presented on the day.

Gabby Watson:

Hi my name is Gabby and this is my Arrowsmith story.

At first, I was really nervous, but also excited about starting Arrowsmith, because I came all the way from Tasmania to Victoria to Oakleigh Grammar to start Arrowsmith.

The work was very strange and very hard, because I did not know what I was doing, and because I was used to doing normal school work. But suddenly I got used to this different type of work and realised I enjoyed it a lot!

I think I have improved in my spelling a bit, because I twist my letters around. I still do, but the twisting is getting much better! My reading is so much better too. I could not read properly, but I know I can read better than I did two years ago. I also understand what I am reading most of the time. My teacher says that my handwriting has also improved. It’s much neater. Mummy says that too.

She also says how much I have improved playing board games and card games with the whole family. She says I am a worthy memory player. Last year, I couldn’t even focus or remember what to do! Mummy said that I am also very good at Sushi Go Party! It’s a numbers game. I just didn’t like it in the beginning, because of all the adding and subtracting I had to do. But now I absolutely love it!

My dad is a big soccer fan and he is so very happy that my aiming and kicking of a soccer ball has really improved. Before Arrowsmith I just kept missing that ball.

This is my second year here. I love Arrowsmith and I love the people who work here and all the friends I have made!

Everyone is so very proud of me!

Thank you for listening to my story.

Tashi Lehmann:

Hi my name is Tashi. I started Arrowsmith in 2017. Even though I knew one person at Oakleigh Grammar, I still remember feeling very, very nervous. Adelaide and I had both come from Firbank. It was a very different school to this one.

When I did the testing for Arrowsmith I kind of enjoyed the work, but I still felt a little nervous about everything, because I didn’t know what was going to happen.

Once I started doing Arrowsmith for a while, I really enjoyed the work because it was fun. The work is really different to what I usually do, plus the teachers were really nice. They still are!

The program has helped me with my writing. It’s much neater and smaller now, so I have more room left on the page. My mum is so very happy that my handwriting has improved!

The clock exercises have helped me read the time, and add and subtract a little faster. Using the computer for most of the day has helped my typing skills. My mum says that she thinks it has helped me learn about nature, history and science. So my general knowledge has improved a lot!

Thank you for listening to my speech.

I just love Arrowsmith!