South View School's Girls Club: From Discussing Personal Challenges to Changing Car Tires

May 29th 2024

South View School's Girls Club: From Discussing Personal Challenges to Changing Car Tires.

South View School is delighted to share the ongoing success of Girls Club, an extra-curricular activity (ECA) initiated by our Head of Science in the Senior School, Mrs. Elizabeth McCullough. This inspiring club, tailored for our Year 10 students, has resonated deeply within our community and beyond, highlighting our commitment to practical life skills alongside academic education.

Driven by her belief that young women should be equipped with both academic knowledge and essential life skills, Mrs. McCullough envisioned the Girls Club as a space where students could learn skills we all wish we had been taught as teenagers. “My goal is to empower these young women with confidence and practical skills that will serve them throughout their lives,” she explained. “From cooking and car maintenance to understanding taxes and fostering self-assurance, we aim to prepare them for all aspects of life.”

Mrs. McCullough passionately expressed, "Girls have the potential to achieve anything they set their minds to. Sometimes, all they need is a boost of confidence and motivation. By seeing and relating to role models who guide and inspire them, they can truly become the best version of themselves."

The first session of the Girls Club was emotional and meaningful. Several of our dedicated female teachers shared cherished photos from their adolescence, opening up about the personal challenges they faced, such as body image issues, bullying, and the significance of education. This honest and open dialogue created a strong sense of connection and understanding among the students. To conclude the session, the girls wrote anonymous notes to each other, highlighting the qualities they admired in their peers, fostering a supportive and caring environment.

Reflecting on the experience, Zia, a Year 10 student, shared, "The Girls Club teaches us the independent skills we need to thrive in today's society. It empowers us by building our confidence and showing us that we can handle any challenge. Learning these life skills is invaluable."

In their second session, the club manifested as a lively kitchen environment as the girls learned to make pasta from scratch. Rolling out dough and cooking their creations during lunchtime, the room was filled with laughter and the delightful aroma of fresh pasta. This hands-on experience not only taught them a valuable cooking skill but also brought them closer together, reinforcing the sense of community that underpins the ethos of South View School.

The highlight of the Girls Club, however, has been the third session, where the girls learned how to change tires and check oil in a car. This session was met with overwhelming enthusiasm and support from the community. Parents and students alike expressed their appreciation for such practical lessons, with many parents remarking, “I wish someone had taught me this when I was young.”