11 siblings in same first year intake at high school

Published on Friday 22 August 2008 10:59

STARTING secondary school is one of the most nerve-wracking days of any child's life, but for 11 youngsters who began at Drummond Community High School yesterday, those first-day nerves were eased by the knowledge that they had at least one friendly face to turn to.

The four sets of twins and one set of triplets make up around ten per cent of the school's total intake of first years – leaving the teachers thinking there could be "something in the water".

Staff at the school made the decision to put the siblings in different classes in the hope that it will make it easier for them to make new friends.

And for some, after seven years of being in the same primary class, moving into "the big school" was a welcome relief.

Twins Anton and Oliver Gashi, 11, say being separated at school is a huge advantage because they see enough of each other at home.

Oliver, who went to Leith Walk Primary with Anton, said: "Sometimes we see too much of each other and get bored of each other, so I'm glad we've been put in different classes."

He added that other disadvantages of being a twin included missing out on more expensive presents. "Instead of spending 100 on you, they only spend 50 each on you. It's shocking. Also, if you want to be alone, you can't, because it's their bedroom as well."

Both boys, however, agree the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Anton added: "You get a lot of privileges. There's always someone to stick up for you at school and you're never lonely."

Triplets Amber, Connor and Greg Tracy were shocked to hear they were going to be in the same year as four sets of twins.

The siblings, who used to attend Broughton Primary, said that it would be strange not being in the same class as each other.

Amber – voted the bossiest of the three by her brothers – said: "You always have something to stick up for you when you're triplets. I'm used to them sitting next to me but I'm looking forward to making new friends."

Out of all the twins, only 12-year-olds Rania and Rita Elhaj Modi, are identical.

The two have been known to play tricks on people by pretending to be the other, but have promised they won't carry on their antics in high school.

The other first year twins are Alicja and Kamila Blaszczyk, 11, and David and Emily Coxson, 12.

Headteacher Jon Reid said it wasn't the first time Drummond High has had a few sets of twins through its doors, and said the school tried to help them become individuals in their own right.

He said: "We don't want them to be seen as the twins and triplets of the school, we wanted them to be independent and make new friends.

"It will be easier for them to make new friends if they're in different classes.

"In the fourth year that's just left we had three sets of twins, so I don't know if there's something in the water round here."