A Courier Gold Star has been awarded to Robert Healey in recognition of his personal journey at Monifieth High School.
Robert, 17, was delighted with the award and says he will probably “keep it in the attic for 20-odd years”.
An S6 pupil, Robert is a confident and friendly character, well-liked by both pupils and teachers.
He smiles proudly as he talks about his responsibilities around the school, including ordering and delivering lunches for a group of S1 pupils and helping with a school garden.
And he is a sports leader for first-year pupils with additional support needs, taking them to do activities such as cycling and scootering while also supporting their needs.
He said: “It makes me feel good to help other people.”
Looking back, Robert says in S1 he never would have expected to be able to do all these things and is really proud of how far he’s come.
When Robert started high school he was heavily supported due to having ADHD and autism and did not attend any mainstream classes.
He worked one-to-one with staff and gradually began to attend discrete classes before going on to achieve a number of national and personal achievement awards.
In recent years his confidence has soared to the point where he now volunteers at Serendipities café, on Union Street, in Dundee.
He said: “I wash the dishes and help with general stuff and sometimes I serve the tables.
“I like it. I’d like to get a job doing that.”
Robert is due to start a barista course at school – the first mainstream class he will attend independently – and is looking forward to learning how to make coffees.
After this academic year, he will continue studying at Dundee and Angus College where he will learn life skills.
Olive Wainwright, the school’s principal teacher of additional support, says Robert will be missed around the school as he is a “big character”.
She nominated Robert for the Gold Star and said: “Robert is one of the best senior supporters we have have in supported learning.
He’s more independent and navigates the school, picking up the more vulnerable S1s and taking them to classes.”
Olive Wainwright
“He’s not struggled with the transition into the main building, he’s loved it and flourished with the increase in responsibility.
“He’s more independent and navigates the school, picking up the more vulnerable S1s and taking them to classes.
“Everyone here is very proud of Robert and the good relationships he has built up in ASN and across the school.”
Want to nominate someone for a Gold Star?
Our Gold Star awards are aimed at recognising children and young people’s achievements, both in and out of school.
We are collecting nominations from the public through our online form. Winners of the award will receive one of our stunning badges and a certificate.
Full terms and conditions can be found here.
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