Past Students
We would love to hear from our previous students; please get in touch and let us know where you are and what you are doing now, so that we could possibly use your story to inspire others.
Also, if you need any advice or support concerning your future please dont hesitate to ask. Email lindsey@thesmartproject.org.uk.
Congratulations class of 2009!!
We would like to congratulate all of the 2008/09 Smart Project students. Over the year the students achieved the following qualifications/certificates and awards......
8 achieved 6 Key Skills at level 1
6 achieved 5 Key Skills at level 1
2 achieved 4 Key Skills at level 1
17 achieved their Certificate in Life Skills at level 2
19 achieved their Pacific Institue Go For It Award
17 achieved Prince's Trust xl club award at bronze, 11 at silver and 2 at gold!! (Beefy and Charlotte well done)
2 achieved their Duke of Edinburgh award at bronze
11 achieved their Youth Achievement award at bronze
5 achieved thier OCN in mountain biking
8 sat Foundation GCSEs in maths and English
6 achieved their Junior Sports Leader Award
8 got fire safety certificates, including first aid
20 got team building certificates
This year has been the best for outstanding results and we are very proud of all of the students! At our end of year BBQ we presented awards to the following students...
Patrick Duffy (Beefy) for wining our Master Chef competition
Patrick Duffy (Beefy) for 100% attendance for the year
Karl Chambers for Most Improved Student, with Alisha Llewellyn as runner up
Charlotte Lee for Student of the Year, with Beefy as runner up
A special congratulations goes out to these students for their hard work and commitment.
Following the project..
5 have progressed onto Skillbuild programmes
7 have been accepted into college
1 has been accepted onto a Youth Access college course and 1 is to return to Smart
4 are to return to us on our new Smart 2 Project
WELL DONE TO ALL OF YOU AND WE WILL MISS YOU!!
Patrick Duffy (Beefy) Kirsty Jones Luke James Karen Johnson Eddie Leahy Steven Brain
Emily Evans Robert Rees Dillon May Victoria Morgan Alisha Llewellyn Mikey Jones
Karl Chambers Charlotte Lee Nikitaa Jones Nick Thomas Ben Rees Ashlee Ann Evans
Craig Thomas Gareth Richards Shane Palethorpe Amy Rees
Class of 08
Eddie Meacock George Matthews John Bundy Matthew Thomas Charles Freeman Sean Williams
Benn Davies Gethin Thomas Becca Dunne Kirsty Jones Rhys Curtis Katrina Harries
Jordan Flynn Becky Kerr Becca Imperio Carly Maides Kirstie Jones Daniel James
Richard Coslett Adam Price Craig Thomas
Sion Morgan
Attended the project from September 2006 – June 2007
On starting the project with us, we were aware that Sion was finding it difficult to mix with the other students. He shied away from joining in with group activities and discussions and needed a great deal of nurturing to engage him in any group activity. Sion was always a very well behaved and helpful student who built up a very trusting relationship with the staff.
Sion attended a team building day and residential in Llandysul in the first term and grew dramatically in confidence, although he still needed to increase his self esteem. During the second term, Sion chose to work towards both his Maths and English GCSE’s and worked long and hard after classes to complete his course work and take part in revision sessions.
Sion was continually improving his cookery skills every week and was considering going to catering college on leaving the project. He tried work experience in Catering but decided this route was not for him. Also in the second term, Sion asked us if he could work toward his Prince’s Trust xl club at Gold level, and a huge congratulations goes out to him for successfully completing this and becoming the first young person in Carmarthenshire to complete it at this level. He was also nominated recently for a Princes Trust 'Celebrate Success' Award. Since leaving the project, Sion has completed training courses and is currently on the Skill Build Youth programme with Jobforce Wales and is progressing very well.
Aimee Butler
Attended project September 2005 – June 2006
Before starting on the project with us, Aimee had very low self-esteem and self-confidence but hid it well. Aimee was disengaged with mainstream education and wanted to try a more vocational course. On starting the course, we found that Aimee had excellent basic skills and was a very good leader and motivator to other students, although she did find it difficult to praise herself.
After attending the team building day and the first residential in Llandysul, Aimee’s confidence started to grow and she started to see what she was capable of achieving. Aimee then approached us to see if she could complete her Maths and English GCSE’s. She completed her coursework in both to a very high standard and worked very hard revising for her exams. Aimee achieved good grades in both these exams, and achieved all of her certificates on the project.
As part of the course the students are given the opportunity to attend the Phoenix Fire Course at Llanelli Fire Station. Aimee attended this course and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Since leaving the project Aimee has completed a year at Ammanford College studying plumbing and is now very keen to join the Fire service when they are recruiting next.
Thanks...
Comments from our past students:
“Jobforce has made me more confident and has given me a better chance of getting a job. I wouldn’t have been able to finish in school but I did a good year in Jobforce”
“Since coming to the Smart Project I have had more confidence and self respect. The staff are all people you can trust and I am proud of my achievements”
“The Smart Project has changed my life. Since I have been attending my confidence has grown and I have more of a good attitude towards things. Thanks for being there when I needed you”
“The Smart Project meant one hell of a lot to me, I wish I didn’t have to leave. I have achieved so much which I wouldn’t have done in school. Basically you’ve kicked me into shape”
“The Smart Project is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. It’s given me so much self confidence and self esteem and has made me realise how important it is to do well and get the best qualifications I can. I couldn’t have done this without the staff, they are amazing”
“Thank you for this year, it has been the best year of my life. I will miss you all because you have done so much for me and improved my confidence and helped me grow up. I will always remember this year”
And from their parents:
“I have never felt more supported with help, advice or a chat and most of all when all doors seemed to close the sun shone out of yours for my son!”
“I am so pleased that this course was available for my daughter as I was at a loss as to what to do or where to turn next. I would like to thank everyone for their support”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and the Smart Project. I apologise that I thought that this type of education would not benefit my son. It just proves that this system can work and helps children mature into young adults”
“My son has learnt so much, which he wouldn’t have done in school. He has dealt with his fears of heights and water. The staff have been 110% behind him, they need medals for being so great. He has turned into a very caring and understanding young man; his behaviour and anger have been dealt with through the best support.”
“My daughter might have faced exclusion from school, she definitely wouldn’t have achieved all these skills. Every youth worker treated her as an individual and adult, she looked forward to going to Jobforce every day”
“My son and I would like to thank you and all the team at Smart for the support you gave us BOTH! I see a very big change in him; you treated him as a young adult which was what he needed. You also gave me support which reassured me that he was happy with you”