At Collisdene Care Centre in Strathaven, a celebration of exceptional educational achievements recently unfolded as residents marked their graduation after successfully attaining their SQA National 2 qualification in Italian. The event, filled with warmth and pride, showcased a significant milestone in their language learning journey.
Representing Dr. Lisa Cameron MP, Anne Wallace made a special visit to Collisdene Care Centre to honor the graduates with personal letters of congratulations from Parliament. This recognition underscores the hard work and determination demonstrated by the graduates, emphasising the importance of inclusive education and acknowledging the achievements of individuals with learning difficulties.
The journey of these graduates commenced with ‘Lingo Flamingo,’ a pioneering program designed to offer language learning opportunities to people of varying abilities, encompassing major European languages like French, Portuguese, and Italian. Unlike traditional language courses, participation in just one ‘Lingo Flamingo’ session entitles individuals to a certificate of achievement. However, the residents of Collisdene went above and beyond, committing to a rigorous twelve-week intensive program in Italian under the guidance of the initiative’s champion, activities coordinator Rosie Brennan.
Their success in passing the SQA in Modern Languages – Level 2 – Italian stands as a testament to their perseverance and enthusiasm for learning. This achievement builds upon the center’s prior success, where six residents graduated with a French Level 2 qualification in modern languages last year.
Expressing her pride in the graduates, Rosie Brennan, activities coordinator at Collisdene, remarked, “Seeing our residents not only take on the challenge of learning a new language but also excel in it, is truly inspiring. Their dedication and hard work have paid off, and they have shown that learning difficulties are not a barrier to achieving remarkable things. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them.”
The graduation ceremony at Collisdene Care Centre serves not only as a celebration of individual accomplishments but also as a testament to the power of determination, dedication, and inclusive educational initiatives in fostering remarkable achievements within the community.
