Mission accomplished for Balmain pupils

However, Zippy’s Friends Programme, which is specifically designed to assist children aged five to eight to effectively deal with life’s stressful situations; this is done in a simplified and interactive way.

There are six modules to the Zippy’s Friends Programme - feelings, communication, making and breaking relationships, conflict resolution and dealing with loss, coping with change.

On May 18, pupils from Balmain Presbyterian Primary School completed the final component of the programme.

The session was taught by teachers Roslyn Deosaran and Allyson Lutchman who together skilfully guided 50 boys and girls through the module, said a media release. Encouraged to talk about their emotions, the children recalled how they felt when there was a change in their lives. During this element of the programme, the pupils bid farewell to Zippy, a pet insect who passes on, he is then buried in an intimate “funeral” in the school yard.

Both teachers agreed that the students are always enthusiastic when it’s Zippy’s time, and have since learnt the benefits of building healthy friendships and showing empathy.

This session was attended by Cindyann Currency, Digicel Foundation senior project officer, Community Development; and Dr Primnath Gooptar, representative from the School Leadership Centre of Trinidad and Tobago.

For the past four years the Digicel Foundation in collaboration with the School Leadership Centre implemented the Zippy’s Friends programme in 96 schools across the country.

The programme is endorsed by the Ministry of Education.