introducing sam naraine
pupil ambassador, abbey court school

Sam left school last year and took up the position of Pupil Ambassador at Abbey Court School in September 2013. He has been on quite a few of my t-shirt printing workshops over the years so when the opportunity came up for me to hold a t-shirt printing workshop at his school I jumped at the chance. Read about it here.
 
Always wondered what a Pupil Ambassador gets up to? Here's a quick interview with Sam letting you know all about his job:

Hi Sam, please can you tell me about your role as Pupil Ambassador?

First, how did you get to be Pupil Ambassador?
At my annual review in 2012 the deputy head teacher said that I was doing very well at school and would probably be head boy if they had such a role. I was helping out by showing visitors around the school and doing other jobs to help out the teachers and teaching assistants. I also used to help other pupils whenever I could.

Then in my last year of school I was informed that there could possibly be a new job at school, Pupil Ambassador, and that I should apply for it if it was something that I would like to do after leaving school. I was really interested and so I applied for the job and was interviewed by the head teacher and a school governor and I was successful in getting the job. I also received training during the last two terms of school so I was actually receiving work experience before leaving school.

That's brilliant, well done! So, what is a typical day for you at the school?
I work 3 days a week and all of my days are different. On Wednesdays I work at the Strood scheme in class 8 in the morning helping the teacher and the children. In the afternoon I work in the school office, shredding paper and doing other office work like photocopying. On Thursdays and Fridays I work at the Rainham site with the younger children. I help out in different classes each morning and afternoon. I especially like working with the children in the nursery class. At the beginning and end of each day I help the children getting on and off the mini-buses that bring them into school. I also help out each lunchtime helping the children with their lunch in the dining hall.

I have also helped with taking a group of pupils up to London to see some art they did at school that was being displayed at the Houses of Parliament. I have also shown a group of 25 teachers around the school who were visiting from China.

That must have been exciting, has that been the highlight of working at Abbey Court School?
My highlight was being asked to speak at a council meeting as Pupil Ambassador where I asked the Councillors if they would fund a new school for us ‘under one roof’ as it would be much better for the children and staff as they would not have to spend so much time travelling. It has recently been confirmed that the council have agreed to fund the new school at a site in Strood at a cost of £11 million pounds, so I am very proud to have helped out with this.

That's such a fantastic achievement and a great experience for you.

I remember how great it was to get my first wage packet, what did you spend yours on?
Before I started work I borrowed some money from my mum to buy some new clothes for my job as I could no longer wear my school uniform so I had to pay mum back. After this I treated myself to a new mobile phone. I also bought myself a nice warm coat for winter. And I am hoping to buy myself a tablet computer soon.

I think you deserve to treat yourself after all that hard work. Is there anything else that you'd like to add?
I do really enjoy my job. I like all the teachers and teaching assistants, and I know most of the children really well. Paul Horsman, the ex-deputy head, has stayed on part-time and has been really good at helping me to learn what I have to do in my job, and the other staff help me too. I am really pleased to join the staff in the staff room and have a cup of tea each day before I start work.

It sounds like you're a real part of the team. All the best in your new role. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us.
 
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Sam Naraine, Pupil Ambassador at Abbey Court School 2014
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T-shirt printing workshop, August 2012
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T-shirt printing workshop, August 2008