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News
10 May 2013
Raigmore Primary pupils given rare insight into the lives of Armed Forces children
Raigmore Primary School pupils view 'Forces Kids - This is My Life'
Issued on behalf of the Royal Caledonian Education Trust by Panache Communications.
Pupils at Raigmore Primary School in Inverness were given a rare insight into the lives of children of Armed Forces personnel yesterday (8 May) with the opportunity to view a short film by the Royal Caledonian Education Trust (RCET), featuring the real life experiences and feelings of young people when a member of their family is deployed to a combat zone.
The 27 minute short film titled ‘Forces Kids – This is My Life’ was commissioned by the RCET to raise awareness of what Armed Forces children and young people may experience during deployment and reveals the enormous encouragement they give one another during such times.
Over 30 children from 8 schools across Scotland took part in the filming, sharing in their own words, their feelings about deployment and how they cope. The film was launched in Edinburgh in November 2012 by the RCET, a charity which has supported the education of the children of current and former Scottish Armed Forces personnel for nearly 200 years.
Former Raigmore Head Teacher, Moira Leslie, who is currently working as Education Programme Officer for the RCET, returned to Raigmore Primary school yesterday to share the DVD with P5-P7 pupils yesterday. She said, “The film highlights the need to promote discussion and understanding of the issues that Armed Forces children face, especially during potentially traumatic times like deployment. Staff from over 23 schools in Highland have had an RCET supported showing of the film. The RCET is now working with some of those schools using teaching resources from the Trust to help develop Emotional Literacy and Active Listening strategies.”
Current Head Teacher of Raigmore Primary School, Fiona Shearer said: “We have already shared the DVD with staff as well as parents and it is a very powerful and moving piece of film. This is something we would like to share with all parents in our school community, not just those in Service families, as the DVD and supporting materials can be used to support all children in our school community.”
Councillor Carolyn Caddick, Highland Council’s Armed Forces and Veteran’s Champion welcomed the viewing of the DVD. She said: “This is an excellent way in which we can help our young people, families and those close to them cope when loved ones are called to serve in combat zones and is welcome. The DVD raises awareness of the issues and anxieties involved for all those concerned and I would urge anyone to view it whether they have Forces connections or not.”