CEIST Student Leadership Conference
Report – “The annual CEIST Student Leadership Conference took place on Wednesday, May 7th in St Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra, DCU. Four TY students, Emily O’Brien, Saoirse Devine, Emma King and Adam Feery (representatives on the Student Council) attended with Ms Glynn. Participants took part from all over the country from other CEIST Schools. After an opening addresses from Prof Anne Looney, DCU, DCU President Prof Daire Keogh, CEIST CEO Dr Maeve Mahon and CEIST leadership team member Mr Gerry Watchorn, delegates were led in a prayer by Rev Dr Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin. That particular day was the first day of the Papal Conclave and there was a big focus on the legacy of the late Pope Francis.
Afterwards, students from four CEIST Schools spoke about projects they run in their schools which embody CEIST values. Topics ranged from “Living Scenes” in Calasanctius College in Oranmore where TY students meet on a weekly basis with senior citizens to environmental initiatives run in St Joseph’s Secondary School in Castlebar. Following the presentations made by these schools, delegates were divided into workshops on different topics and initiatives where they could share their ideas. Finally after lunch, a girl from St Mary’s School in Arklow, Divine, spoke eloquently about her experience as a child of immigrants in Ireland and how her school’s School of Sanctuary helped her to feel valued and safe. Her speech quite literally brought the conference to a standstill and she received a prolonged round of applause. It was a most worthwhile day.”
Storm Eowain Response
Lilly Farrell, Third Year member, from the Student Council created a homemade Thank You card for Mr Farrell and the Senior Management Team, to recognise the kind response which Mercy Secondary School exhibited in the aftermath of Storm Eowain to both students and teachers last January. The school authorities made available soup, rolls, sausage rolls and other tasty items for students from houses which had lost electricity. The showers in the gymnasium changing rooms were also made available to students with no hot water. Students signed the card on behalf of their own year groups and presented it to Mr Farrell.
