Students from Bunscoil Loreto, St Joseph’s Primary School, Gorey Educate Together, Ballycanew National School, St Kevins NS Tara Hill and Riverchapel National School were invited to Gorey Community School to discuss a range of topics including littering and the need for more facilities for younger people to name a few.
What once began as a small meeting between the school and Bunscoil Loreto, moving into its fifth year taking place, the event continues to celebrate and promote the role of student voice in school communities.
Each primary school presented the work of their own student councils as part of the competition and created discussion on issues affecting young people and to gain and understanding of student representation at post-primary level.
A representative of the Gorey Community School student council said the event was a fantastic opportunity for students to use their voice and gain insight into life after primary school.
“We hope this year’s event serves as a catalyst for student voice in north Wexford inspiring other schools to come join us next year,” a spokesperson said.
Primary School Students Voice Conference at Gorey Community School. Pictured is Pupils from St. Joseph’s Primary School, Bunscoil Loreto, St. Kevins NS Tara Hill, Ballycanew NS, Riverchapel NS and Gorey Educate Together.
Issues raised among students included more places for young people to socialise, improvements to accessibility for people with disabilities and more accessibility to healthier food in the town were also raised.
Students also suggested the need for more leisure facilities, emphasising the need for a swimming pool, an increase in cycle paths and bus shelters through the town, more footpaths and a shift to a less car-centric focus in Gorey.
Students also highlighted suggestions for online issues including tackling cyberbullying and recommended the possibility of an online community notice board for the community to use.
Local representatives including Wicklow-Wexford TDs Brian Brennan and Malcolm Byrne attended the special event, to take on board to ideas and topics discussed during the event.
Following the conference competition, St Joseph’s Primary School were awarded the inaugural Student Voice Award and took home a prize of €100 for school facilities.
Principal of Gorey Community School, Michael Finn praised all students for another successful event, and the importance of the school’s student council. He said the event is a “wonderful addition to the school’s busy calendar. The sharing of ideas with future GCS students is an enriching process for all involved.
“The active voice of the student is a significant feature of Gorey community School, and the student Council play an important part in the functioning of the school,” he added.
Michael said sharing ideas with students from feeder schools help ensure the community comes together to look to the future.
In addition to this, honorary membership of the Gorey Community School Student Council was presented to Deputy Brennan and Deputy Byrne to recognise their ongoing support for student voice initiatives.
Following another successful event of discussions, the school is excited to continue this initiative in future years and to create opportunities for student voice within the local community.