Training day helps students to make their voices heard
Student council members from Borris College with their teacher Bernadette Atkinson at the recent KCETB student council training in Carlow
FORTY-EIGHT students from five Co Carlow schools benefited from a special training day aimed at making their voices heard, so they can make meaningful contributions to decision-making for the benefit of fellow students and their schools.
The one-day course was organised by Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) for students across its 13 schools in Kilkenny and Carlow to highlight the role and responsibilities of their individual student councils and to equip the students with the skills required to take an active part in their councils.
Forty-eight students from Tyndall College, Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Coláiste Eoin, Coláiste Aindriú and Borris College attended the training day with their teachers, whose role is to support student councils in schools.
The students learned from one another as they worked in groups with their peers from other schools in designated workshops. Training was provided by facilitator Dr Siobhan Keenan Fitzgerald in various council roles such as chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary, treasurer and PRO and the students learned about working in partnership with school management, staff and parents for the benefit of the school and their fellow students.
Dr Keenan Fitzgerald is author of the book . Siobhan’s vision is to empower students to share their stories and to use their voice not just to be the best version of themselves but to be changemakers and positive role models in their schools.
The day was overseen by KCETB director of schools Dr Pauline Egan.
“All of our 13 KCETB secondary schools are very student-centred and our student councils provide excellent opportunities for students to make their voice heard,” she said.
“Over the years, we have seen our student councils contribute to the development of school policy in a number of areas, which have brought significant benefits to the students and to the school itself.
“As well as demonstrating democracy in action, student councils are also a great way of allowing our students to develop their communication, planning and organisational skills, which will be of benefit to them in their future lives,” added Dr Egan.
