‘Minister of Education engages in discussion with St Mary’s Sixth Form Students’
On Wednesday November 12th the Minister for Education, Mr John O’Dowd visited St Mary’s . One aspect of his visit was to meet a group of sixth form students. The girls met the Minister in their recently refurbished common room where they all had refreshments and chatted about various aspects of school life. Some of the students shared with him the many opportunities they have been given in school to participate in leadership activities. They discussed how they are working towards their Millennium volunteer certificates for the work they do as Peer Mentors, Youth leaders at the Patrician Youth Club and the literacy work done with P3 pupils in the local primary school, to name but a few.
The girls were also were keen to discuss with him their concerns about the impact the education budget would have on them as they progress to the next stage of their education. They are mindful of media reports about reduced places at our local universities next year. The Minister was sympathetic to their worries and told the girls that the consultation period was still in place and that they should make their views known .
The students said they enjoyed the discussions and the opportunity they had to engage with Minister O’Dowd and were proud that they had been able to do this in a relaxed environment.
