Blog from student Ryan Cook- Beating the bullies and building self confidence (Part 1 of 3)
In our blog series we will focus the spot light on some of the students currently working at the Xing smoothie bar. For the first installment, we have asked Ryan to write a blog in his own words about his personal journey. His blog will be in 3 parts so we hope you are as inspired as we were working and hearing from him and his achievements.
*Part 1*
‘Hey. My name is Ryan Cook and I am a Year 10 student from John Whitgift Academy. Here at JWA, Xing smoothies and E-Factor came in and helped us set up a student run smoothie bar. It is only overseen by members of staff, the rest of the work is completely done by the students who work in the smoothie bar. As soon as I heard about this exciting new project, I grabbed an application form and filled it in. I never actually had any experience at the time of filling these things out but I just went for it. Next thing I know, I was at the interview stage. I must admit I was really nervous at the time but Miss Oliver and Mrs Richie were really impressed. A few weeks later they announced who had got the job, but there was something I wasn’t quite expecting. They had chosen me to be the lead student. I was overwhelmed because I had never had an opportunity like that before.
In year 7 and 8 I was a really shy student because I had no confidence and I always used to get bullied and that put me down so much. I must have been at Miss Oliver’s door every other day crying because of everyone bullying me and getting me down. In Year 8 I just couldn’t cope in lessons and I would just walk out and wonder the corridors because everyone was just at me. I want and never have been a bad student; it was everyone around me just putting me down. Near the end of year 8 I was put into a resilience program and once a week I would have these resilience sessions with Miss Oliver. I believe they worked and helped me understand that I shouldn’t care what other people say about me, I am me and that’s that. After these resilience sessions, the opportunity of the smoothie bar came up.
Since the beginning of year 9, when this project officially started, I believe I have developed so much as a person and that is all down to the smoothie bar. I have grown so much in confidence and I have built up an array of skills. Like I said earlier, in year 7 and 8 I was so shy, I couldn’t even speak up in a group of four but now in year 10 I can do assemblies and I am usually the one who is put in charge of group projects in lessons so that says a lot. But that’s not it…..’
Keep posted for installment two of Ryan’s blog
Comments
6 total comments on 'Blog from student Ryan Cook- Beating the bullies and building self confidence (Part 1 of 3)'
#1 | {url_or_email_as_author} said:
Well done Ryan. You have worked very hard in the setting up and running of the Smoothie Bar. You are and will continue to be successful.
#2 | {url_or_email_as_author} said:
Well done. I have been privileged to watch you grow into the mature and successful student you are today. Continue what you are doing and I am sure you will be very successful in the future.
#3 | {url_or_email_as_author} said:
Well done ryan. Keep up the good work in school and the Smoothie Bar and I am sure you will achieve all your goals.
#4 | {url_or_email_as_author} said:
Hi Ryan, you are a credit to yourself - well done. Remember bullies use their power to hurt people, continue to use your power to succeed. You will have the last laugh!!!!
#5 | {url_or_email_as_author} said:
Great Stuff Ryan…....... well done! When do the Milkshakes start?
#6 | {url_or_email_as_author} said:
Well done ryan. I am so proud of you. All you have had to put up with in life has made you more stronger each day, you have turned it all into a posative by focusing on doing well in almost everything you do and enjoy. It takes alot to do that and i know you will continue making us all proud xxx Thanks and appreciation to staff, Xing and others who have supported Ryan, the smoothie bar and the other pupils who are involved with it. It has been the making of Ryan and i hope it benifits others in the same way.