Laylah Hassell, 13

What makes learning different at BCCL?

We have breaks in between small group lessons and we can work in quiet spaces. I feel like I can be myself.

What skills have you learnt at school that have helped you outside school?

Our Social Club helps me with my friendships. We play games that help me with my memory.

What is the one thing that you want people to know about how you learn?

I learn best when my teachers explain things to me and I feel happy when I’m in small groups.

What makes you unique?

I’m really good at horseback riding and one of the strongest riders at Windreach.

What are some of your favourite experiences in your school day?

We go out on walks every day to get fit and play with our friends.

Cainan Tucker, 13

What makes learning different at BCCL?

We can sit where we want. We have frequent breaks. I need those breaks to wind down and move.

What skills have you learnt at school that have helped you outside of school?

I’m better at talking to people now. We have Social Club, which is a class talking about common problems and how to deal with them. I can talk to my parents at home and it makes them understand me more because of what I learnt in Social Club.

What had being at BCCL taught you about the way you learn?

I’m getting more organised. They teach me about being myself and that it’s okay to have ADHD.

What is the one thing that you want people to know about how you learn?

That I get way too distracted. It’s not always okay, but it has its benefits like I’m always aware of my surroundings.

What makes you unique?

I’m funny. I’m a drummer and like to play instruments.

What is it like to learn differently?

It’s hard when someone pushes you when you’re not ready. I get distracted and then I miss things.

What are some of your favourite experiences in your school day?

Going on walks because it takes me outside more. I get to see people and places. It’s not boring.

What do you like about BCCL’s learning environment?

It’s small so we get a lot of attention from teachers so I can learn more. I get to move more and I’m not stuck in one seat all day.

Eliza Olander, 13

What makes learning different at BCCL?

We have more options about how we can learn, not the regular old way. The atmosphere is nice.

What skills have you learnt at school that have helped you outside of school?

I’ve improved my reading and writing. I can read signs and menus now. Whatever I need to read I can.

What has BCCL taught you about the way you learn?

It’s taught me that I might learn a little slower but it’s okay. I’m more motivated to learn now.

What is the one thing that you want people to know about how you learn?

I want people to know that as a visually impaired person I need something more than glasses.

What makes you unique?

To read I have to use a video magnifier. It is a camera that magnifies an image on a big screen.

What is it like to learn differently?

I can’t rush my learning. I have to take my time to learn something.

What are some of your favourite experiences in your school day?

In Social Club when we have group conversations and get to share our observations. Social Club is where we learn important things we need in life like how to have a conversation with someone or how to interact with someone.

What do you like about BCCL’s learning environment?

We don’t have any desks and have soft music playing. The classroom is a big, open space. It’s nice to be in a place where everyone is like you. Everyone at the school is so supportive and accepting of each other. Everyone is open to learning about each other and trying to relate.

Kelsey De Silva, 13

What makes learning different at BCCL?

They make it easier for us to learn because we have different levels so everyone has a different plan — your own plan. If someone has one disability, like ADHD they get certain help and if someone else has dyslexia they get what they need. It’s all organised for their mindset.

What skills have you learnt at school that have helped you outside of school?

I can read signs now. I help people spell things a lot more. I can solve problems a lot more easily.

What has BCCL taught you about the way you learn?

I’m more advanced now. Two years ago I was pretty sure I couldn’t learn anything, but now I know that I can.

What is the one thing that you want people to know about how you learn?

That it’s not easy for me and even though I try I might not get it all the time.

What makes you unique?

My friends at school make me feel better about who I am. We all share a disability; it makes us feel like there are more people we can relate to. It makes us feel better about ourselves.

What is it like to learn differently?

It’s really hard and sometimes complicated.

What are some of your favourite experiences in your school day?

The walks are my favourite. It’s different because we get to walk to different places and we see different things; it’s always changing. Other schools have one field and it’s like looking at the same thing everyday. It’s boring.

What do you like about BCCL’s learning environment?

I like that we don’t have desks. Sitting in a desk you can’t move around often. We get to sit in different spaces and choose where we want to sit all the time.

Olivia Jackson, 7

What makes learning different at BCCL?

It’s better because we use more objects to learn. We use more computers to learn. I like that. We do projects a lot. It’s not boring.

What skills have you learnt at school that have helped you outside of school?

I’m getting better at reading. I can read at my house now. I do chores like make my bed.

I get to play with my friend next door to my house because I don’t have homework. I like to be outside.

What makes you unique?

I’m small but I’m brave.

What are some of your favourite experiences in your school day?

Math because I get to do it everyday. We get to move around in math and it’s fun. I like doing our jobs when we clean our classroom. I like when I get to vacuum and clean the windows.

What do you like about BCCL’s learning environment?

There are comfy chairs, beanbag chairs, and couches. We can bring fidget toys and don’t get yelled at. We have headphones that block out everyone so I can think.

Lanea Fray, 11

What makes learning different at BCCL?

You can learn step-by-step not all by yourself. In other schools the teachers just write things on the board and you have to figure it out by yourself. Here the teachers help you.

What skills have you learnt at school that have helped you outside of school?

It’s easier for me to go into a place and not be scared that I can’t pay for something. I can figure out how much money I have to pay them and not just get them to count the money and figure it out for me.

What has BCCL taught you about the way you learn?

I can learn different than everyone else. I don’t have to rush through everything just to stay with the class even though I don’t understand something. I can take my time here.

What is the one thing that you want people to know about how you learn?

I’m not like everyone else. My brain doesn’t process the way everyone else’s does. I can’t understand everything without repeating it. If not I’ll get it all mixed up.

What makes you unique?

My personality, if I wasn’t funny I don’t think I would be happy. I get to laugh at school everyday.

What is it like to learn differently?

It’s kind of loud. The world around me is loud. It’s hard sometimes. I can understand learning better if it’s broken into steps, not just written on the board.

What are some of your favourite experiences in your school day?

Our class is close because we get to spend time together. I get to have more friends here because it’s smaller. Some of us have different disabilities, but we can all relate somehow.

What do you like about BCCL’s learning environment?

I like that it’s smaller but comfortable. You can actually speak to your teachers about things you can’t ask your friends. They know what goes on at school so they can help people. They don’t just think everyone is fine. They pay attention to you. They check on you.

Jessica Arruda, 11

What makes learning different at BCCL?

They helped me be okay and helped my brain work.

What skills have you learnt at school that have helped you outside of school?

I learnt how to be nice to people and talk to them. I’m not scared anymore.

What is the one thing that you want people to know about how you learn?

I want people to know about my school because people can come here and be okay with themselves, not frustrated.

What is it like to learn differently?

It’s hard sometimes. I can’t talk properly so people don’t listen to me but I want them too.

What do you like about BCCL’s learning environment?

It’s small and quiet. I like to sit where I want. I don’t have to sit at a desk. That is boring sitting for hours and hours.

Machaia Belboda, 12

What makes learning different at BCCL?

Teachers make it easier for us to understand the work. They break it down so we understand, this helps us process it in our brain properly.

What skills have you learnt at school that have helped you outside of school?

I’ve learnt that anything is possible. I’m more confident now.

What has being at BCCL taught you about the way you learn?

It takes a while for me to understand something and I have to go over it and that it’s okay to do it that way.

What is the one thing that you want people to know about how you learn?

To go slow because my brain processes things slower.

What makes you unique?

That I have a lot of friends at school now.

They aren’t complicated; they are like me. They are smart. I feel smart here.

What is it like to learn differently?

It’s fun in a way because I don’t want to learn like everyone else. I get to learn the way I want.

What are some of your favourite experiences in your school day?

I like IPC because it has a lot of fun experiences. There is more to do during the day, not just regular schoolwork.

What do you like about BCCL’s learning environment?

There are different sections so it’s easier to find things. It’s organised. I like not having a desk. We have totes and our own spaces.

For more information, check out www.bermudacreativelearning.com