teenage travellers tales

teentalescover.indd 1 2/3/09 13:46:49

MediaActive: Illustrated Books Project

An initiative of Thomas Adams School’s Media Arts Programme and delivered in partnership with Qube Arts, this project has established new opportunities for young people to develop a series of illustrated books that reflect their interests, concerns and creativity.

The young people have worked with the support of artists, designers, and a creative writer, making full use of digital media resources in North Shropshire to research, plan and produce the books. They have determined the themes, generated the ideas, created original writing and artworks, and finally, designed the layout and construction of the books.

The project has worked with 5 groups, has produced 5 distinctive books and has involved key partners: Loppington House, Thomas Adams SEN Department, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Youth Offending Service and the West Midlands Consortium Services for Travelling Children, Schools and Families.

Thanks go to Henry, Casey, John, Charlene and Silvester for their work on Teenage Travellers’ Tales.

We are Teenage Travellers and are going to tell you a bit about ourselves;

We all live on Prees

Site and go to Thomas

Adams Secondary

School in Wem.

Henry has almost fi nished school as he is in Year 11. Cacey is in Year 9, John and Charleen are in Year 8 and Silvester is in year 7.Henry has almost fi nished school as he is in Year 11. Cacey is in Year 9, John and Charleen are in Year 8 and Silvester is in year 7.Henry has almost fi nished school as he is in Year 11. Cacey is in Year 9, John

CharleneHenry

SilvesterCacey

Hi, we are Henry,

Cacey, Charleen, John

and Silvester.

teenagetravtalesnew.indd 1 2/3/09 11:40:59

MediaActive: Illustrated Books Project

An initiative of Thomas Adams School’s Media Arts Programme and delivered in partnership with Qube Arts, this project has established new opportunities for young people to develop a series of illustrated books that reflect their interests, concerns and creativity.

The young people have worked with the support of artists, designers, and a creative writer, making full use of digital media resources in North Shropshire to research, plan and produce the books. They have determined the themes, generated the ideas, created original writing and artworks, and finally, designed the layout and construction of the books.

The project has worked with 5 groups, has produced 5 distinctive books and has involved key partners: Loppington House, Thomas Adams SEN Department, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Youth Offending Service and the West Midlands Consortium Services for Travelling Children, Schools and Families.

Thanks go to Henry, Casey, John, Charlene and Silvester for their work on Teenage Travellers’ Tales.

We are Teenage Travellers and are going to tell you a bit about ourselves;

We all live on Prees

Site and go to Thomas

Adams Secondary

School in Wem.

Henry has almost fi nished school as he is in Year 11. Cacey is in Year 9, John and Charleen are in Year 8 and Silvester is in year 7.Henry has almost fi nished school as he is in Year 11. Cacey is in Year 9, John and Charleen are in Year 8 and Silvester is in year 7.Henry has almost fi nished school as he is in Year 11. Cacey is in Year 9, John

CharleneHenry

SilvesterCacey

Hi, we are Henry,

Cacey, Charleen, John

and Silvester.

We all have different hobbies like darts, snooker and listening to music.

Some of the things we hate the most are homework, vegetables and people making fun of us because we are Travellers.

having a life that is different to other peoples and living in a Trailer – being proud to be individual –

having a lot of freedom and having all of our family around us.

For us, the best things about being a Teenage Traveller are:

We all have different hobbies like darts, snooker and listening to music.

Some of the things we hate the most are homework, vegetables and people making fun of us because we are Travellers.

having a life that is different to other peoples and living in a Trailer – being proud to be individual –

having a lot of freedom and having all of our family around us.

For us, the best things about being a Teenage Traveller are:

Our typical day goes like this……..

We get up, get dressed and go into our

brick shed for a wash. After this we have

our breakfast and a cup of tea (lots of

sugar). We sometimes have our breakfast

in our parent’s trailer.

We then go to catch the bus to our school. We go to the gate with our brothers, sisters and cousins and all wait together. Hopefully Charleen won’t make us late. We have missed the bus before, but one of our parents will drive us to school if this happens.

The bus arrives at

8.30am and we are on it

for 20 minutes.

Our typical day goes like this……..

We get up, get dressed and go into our

brick shed for a wash. After this we have

our breakfast and a cup of tea (lots of

sugar). We sometimes have our breakfast

in our parent’s trailer.

We then go to catch the bus to our school. We go to the gate with our brothers, sisters and cousins and all wait together. Hopefully Charleen won’t make us late. We have missed the bus before, but one of our parents will drive us to school if this happens.

The bus arrives at

8.30am and we are on it

for 20 minutes.

School starts at 9.00. We all arrive together but then have to

go to our separate forms and lessons. After registration we go to our fi rst lesson. We have fi ve lessons every day but we do get to have a break in

the morning and at lunch time.

Some of the subjects we study are: English, RE, Maths, French, German, Science, Drama, PE, Music, PSE, Geography, ICT, History, Media, Art and Design Technology.We all like to meet up at breaktimes and have a chat or listen to some music. We have friends at school who are Non-Travellers too.

School starts at 9.00. We all arrive together but then have to

go to our separate forms and lessons. After registration we go to our fi rst lesson. We have fi ve lessons every day but we do get to have a break in

the morning and at lunch time.

Some of the subjects we study are: English, RE, Maths, French, German, Science, Drama, PE, Music, PSE, Geography, ICT, History, Media, Art and Design Technology.We all like to meet up at breaktimes and have a chat or listen to some music. We have friends at school who are Non-Travellers too.

Henry is known by everyone because he always has a joke and also says what he thinks!!The food in the canteen is quite nice and we meet up with our cousins from different years to eat our lunch.

Henry is known by everyone because he always has

The food in the canteen is quite nice and we meet up with our cousins from different years to eat our lunch.

Because I’m in Year 11 – the oldest group in the

school – I have other responsibilities too. I am

a prefect and we also get to do work experience.

(Henry)

Sometimes we moan about school but school has given me extra opportunities that I might not had done otherwise. I have been on TV twice because I am one of the fi rst members of the fi shing group. (Henry)

We also made a Gypsy barrel-top wagon which was painted beautifully by a Gypsy artist, Maggie. This is displayed in Mythstories Museum in Wem. (Henry)

Henry is known by everyone because he always has a joke and also says what he thinks!!The food in the canteen is quite nice and we meet up with our cousins from different years to eat our lunch.

Henry is known by everyone because he always has

The food in the canteen is quite nice and we meet up with our cousins from different years to eat our lunch.

Because I’m in Year 11 – the oldest group in the

school – I have other responsibilities too. I am

a prefect and we also get to do work experience.

(Henry)

Sometimes we moan about school but school has given me extra opportunities that I might not had done otherwise. I have been on TV twice because I am one of the fi rst members of the fi shing group. (Henry)

We also made a Gypsy barrel-top wagon which was painted beautifully by a Gypsy artist, Maggie. This is displayed in Mythstories Museum in Wem. (Henry)

My favourite lessons are Drama, (I love to act) and I like Art and RE but English is booorrrring. (Charleen)

I like Technology – We’re making a hat at the moment. (John)

I don’t like doing Homework! (Cacey)

At 3.20pm, school fi nishes and we catch the bus back to our site.

When we get home we take our school uniforms off and have some tea at the dinner table. We also watch some TV and hang out with our friends and family on the site.

At home, we play on our computer, chat

on Facebook, play music. I play my

accordion. (Henry) We normally have a

roast dinner and I will wash-up afterwards.

Me and my family visit our cousins after tea.

(Cacey)

My favourite lessons are Drama, (I love to act) and I like Art and RE but English is booorrrring. (Charleen)

I like Technology – We’re making a hat at the moment. (John)

I don’t like doing Homework! (Cacey)

When we get home we take our school uniforms off and have some tea at the dinner table. We also watch some TV and hang out with our friends and family on the site.

At home, we play on our computer, chat

on Facebook, play music. I play my

accordion. (Henry) We normally have a

roast dinner and I will wash-up afterwards.

Me and my family visit our cousins after tea.

(Cacey)

Last night I went for a game of pool with my dad and my brother, then I watched the soaps on TV with my family. I go to bed at about 9.30pm. I sleep in a bed at the back of the trailer. I get a good night’s sleep because I sleep in a different trailer to my younger brother!!!!

(John)

Before we go to bed we have a shower/bath/wash and

a hot drink (hot chocolate).

I have to make my bed up each night. I get the duvet and pillows from the big cupboard in my mum and dad’s tourer next door. (John)

Last night I went for a game of pool with my dad and my brother, then I watched the soaps on TV with my family. I go to bed at about 9.30pm. I sleep in a bed at the back of the trailer. I get a good night’s sleep because I sleep in a different trailer to my younger brother!!!!

(John)

Before we go to bed we have a shower/bath/wash and

a hot drink (hot chocolate).

I have to make my bed up each night. I get the duvet and pillows from the big cupboard in my mum and dad’s tourer next door. (John)

In our family, we are quite relaxed and less strict about bedtimes etc. We have no such thing as getting grounded! (Silvester)

Do you have any issues with space? If yes, how do you work these out.

Well, people might wonder how we fi t everything in our trailers but we have a brick building for each family with an attic. We all have our own kitchen appliances, like washing machines, driers and fridges in there to save space in the trailers. (Henry)

I live in a chalet which has a lot of space so we have no problems at meal times. I share a bedroom with my sister. (Charleen)

We have our meals in our small trailer. My mum cooks in there too. We eat our meals together. We can also have our meals on our bunks so have no problems with space. (Cacey)

In our family, we are quite relaxed and less strict about bedtimes etc. We have no such thing as getting grounded! (Silvester)

Do you have any issues with space? If yes, how do you work these out.

Well, people might wonder how we fi t everything in our trailers but we have a brick building for each family with an attic. We all have our own kitchen appliances, like washing machines, driers and fridges in there to save space in the trailers. (Henry)

I live in a chalet which has a lot of space so we have no problems at meal times. I share a bedroom with my sister. (Charleen)

We have our meals in our small trailer. My mum cooks in there too. We eat our meals together. We can also have our meals on our bunks so have no problems with space. (Cacey)

Which family members do you live with or near to? Do you enjoy having your extended family living close to you and if yes, why?

I live with my sister and brother in my tourer. My mum and dad and other brother live in the other tourer. I have two uncles and aunties living nearby. My grandma and granddad live in a bungalow in Hodnet. I like having my family living near me because I don’t have to travel miles to see them when I want to. (John)

I think it’s good with my family living around me, such as parents, cousins, aunties and uncles. My nanny and grandad and my great gran and grandad used to live here as well. (Cacey)

I live with my mum, dad, sister Caitlin and brother, Henry. In the caravan across the road is my nan and granny and my uncle and all my cousins. It is good because it’s boring on my own. (Charleen)

Which family members do you live with or near to? Do you enjoy having your

Family Focus

I enjoy living with my immediate family and my cousins, aunties, uncles, granny

and granddad. My dad’s side of the family and half of my mum’s side live all

around us. We’ve got lots of people to talk to and lots of support. My great

granny used to live next to my grandad until she passed away. (Henry)

Which family members do you live with or near to? Do you enjoy having your extended family living close to you and if yes, why?

I live with my sister and brother in my tourer. My mum and dad and other brother live in the other tourer. I have two uncles and aunties living nearby. My grandma and granddad live in a bungalow in Hodnet. I like having my family living near me because I don’t have to travel miles to see them when I want to. (John)

I think it’s good with my family living around me, such as parents, cousins, aunties and uncles. My nanny and grandad and my great gran and grandad used to live here as well. (Cacey)

I live with my mum, dad, sister Caitlin and brother, Henry. In the caravan across the road is my nan and granny and my uncle and all my cousins. It is good because it’s boring on my own. (Charleen)

Which family members do you live with or near to? Do you enjoy having your

Family Focus

I enjoy living with my immediate family and my cousins, aunties, uncles, granny

and granddad. My dad’s side of the family and half of my mum’s side live all

around us. We’ve got lots of people to talk to and lots of support. My great

granny used to live next to my grandad until she passed away. (Henry)

EducationWhy did you choose to come to school when other teenage Travellers choose to be home educated?

I chose it because there are no opportunities in the Traveller way of life any more. I am still very proud to be a Traveller and proud of my culture but see no way of making a living. (Henry)

I didn’t choose to go to school, my mam chose it for us. She wants me to have a job when I get older and I do too. (Charleen)

Mum and dad chose for me to come to school because you get more learning. Other Travellers choose to be home-taught because they want to be with their families. (John)

EducationWhy did you choose to come to school when other teenage Travellers choose to be home educated?

I chose it because there are no opportunities in the Traveller way of life any more. I am still very proud to be a Traveller and proud of my culture but see no way of making a living. (Henry)

I didn’t choose to go to school, my mam chose it for us. She wants me to have a job when I get older and I do too. (Charleen)

Mum and dad chose for me to come to school because you get more learning. Other Travellers choose to be home-taught because they want to be with their families. (John)

HolidaysHolidays? Some Travellers still travel a lot, but most Travellers don’t because there are no legal places to stay.

We go on holiday and take our tourers. Last year we went on holiday with Charleen and Henry’s family. (John)

We go on holiday in the school summer holidays. In four weeks, we managed to travel 600 miles!! We don’t travel anymore because we can’t stay anywhere legally – that’s why our way of life has changed. (Henry)

We go on holiday in the school summer holidays. In four weeks, we We go on holiday in the school summer holidays. In four weeks, we

We do go off, but there are no places to stay anymore. We cover a

lot of miles in four weeks. (Charleen)

History of Prees SiteIt opened on the 19th December 1983.

Mrs Wilson (Henry and Charleen’s Granny) was the first person on the site when it opened in 1983 and she passed away on the same plot.

There are now 19 plots and around 70 people on the Prees Site.

We did a storytelling project with Mythstories Museum. Henry and Bobby had an idea of making a display. It developed into making a Gypsy wagon which was painted in the old Gyspy traditional way. We also filled the wagon with traditional Traveller things and covered it with a hemp sheet.

HolidaysHolidays? Some Travellers still travel a lot, but most Travellers don’t because there are no legal places to stay.

We go on holiday and take our tourers. Last year we went on holiday with Charleen and Henry’s family. (John)

We go on holiday in the school summer holidays. In four weeks, we managed to travel 600 miles!! We don’t travel anymore because we can’t stay anywhere legally – that’s why our way of life has changed. (Henry)

We go on holiday in the school summer holidays. In four weeks, we We go on holiday in the school summer holidays. In four weeks, we

We do go off, but there are no places to stay anymore. We cover a

lot of miles in four weeks. (Charleen)

History of Prees SiteIt opened on the 19th December 1983.

Mrs Wilson (Henry and Charleen’s Granny) was the first person on the site when it opened in 1983 and she passed away on the same plot.

There are now 19 plots and around 70 people on the Prees Site.

We did a storytelling project with Mythstories Museum. Henry and Bobby had an idea of making a display. It developed into making a Gypsy wagon which was painted in the old Gyspy traditional way. We also filled the wagon with traditional Traveller things and covered it with a hemp sheet.

Traveller Teenagers do pretty much the same as non-Travellers!!!!

The End.

Traveller Teenagers do pretty much the same as non-Travellers!!!!

The End.

The production of this book has been supported by lead artists, Martin Smith and Kerry Davies, with the assistance of Janet Millward, Advisory Teacher for Travelling Children WMCSTCSF.

Thomas Adams School

teenage travellers tales

Documents

distinctive books

fi nished school

thomas adams secondary

series of illustrated

thomas adams sen department

young people

teenage travellers tales

north shropshire