We are delighted to announce that six Dover Court students have been awarded a Nord Anglia Education Social Impact grant. Congratulations to our Year 12 IBDP students Sarah, Astrid, Mia, Eden, Shya, and Emma for securing US$1,200 funding!
The funds will go towards the Period Project, which aims to break down the taboo of talking about periods and educating younger students about period health. As part of the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme, this peer-to-peer mentoring project allows our older students to develop leadership skills, whilst empowering younger students.
The students are taking the lead in teaching younger students how to deal with periods, building a period kit and covering the biology aspects that both boys and girls should know.
As part of the Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education curriculum, these sessions are designed to help break down the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation.
"The objective of the period project is to educate boys and girls about periods and the biology of it. We have divided it into two sessions, a mixed session with both genders, and one with girls only to answer any questions they might have, such as how to deal with the cycle changes throughout the month, and what the flow means,” said Shya, who is also one of our Head Students.
Astrid, Student Wellbeing Committee Leader, shares that the Year 12 students will work with students in both Year 6 and Year 8. "We want to be period mentors, as younger students might feel more comfortable talking to other students, instead of adults. We know what they are going through, as we were in their situation just a few years ago.”
"We are targeting Year 6 girls as that is the time when they start getting introduced to periods, as well as Year 8 teens, who might start having their period. We cover everything from introducing the different period products to what you can do to help your symptoms.” Shya continues.
While period education is important, sharing from a student’s point of view makes the topic more relatable too. By openly discussing period health, older students contribute to normalising this natural aspect of life and diminishing feelings of shame and embarrassment that often accompany the topic.
"It may be less scary for girls as we are going through the same thing as them. Even though the school teaches us about period health both in Primary and Secondary science lessons, and during PSHE in Year 7, they may be more comfortable asking a fellow student any questions or concerns without fear,” Shya says.
For some, the menstrual cycle might be a taboo or an awkward topic to discuss, and that is something that the IB students want to change.
"I have two younger brothers, and boys need to know what the period is because we want to destigmatise periods along with the awkwardness of how girls may have to excuse themselves. Periods aren’t supposed to be scary. If their partner, sister or friend has a period, they shouldn’t see it as something weird or awkward. It is a natural thing that happens to women every month,” Astrid shares.
Shya agrees and feels that more can be done to help prepare girls on how to deal with periods, “Last April, I started talking to my two younger sisters about it because they started asking me questions. I realised not all girls can ask an older sister or mum about it. Even though parents are more open about it, the way they were raised may affect how comfortable they are talking about it.”
The Period Project was originally set up two years ago by IBDP student Arpita, who graduated in 2023. Together with fellow Sixth Form students, she ensured that period products were easily available in the school toilets for Dover Court students. The project was handed over to current Year 13 students, who were also awarded the NAE Social Impact Grant last year, to continue the work initiated by Arpita. In the third year running, we are excited to see the project expanding even further, to also include peer education.
We are so proud to see our older students providing guidance and support to their younger peers, truly instilling a sense of community and belonging — a core component of DCIS's values. We look forward to sharing more about their progress in the months to come!
