Social Justice week is an integral part of our school calendar annually here in Loreto Secondary School, St.Michael’s. This week marks our 45th Social Justice week and we have been celebrating with a fantastic line up of guest speakers, workshops and activities for students.
On Monday we were joined by Alex Whyatt from Global Action Plan who gave a workshop to 5th year students about Climate & Migration. Mr.McGivney spoke to 2nd year students about his voluntary work with homeless services for women and children in the midlands and 1st years looked at the topic of Pollinators.
On Tuesday we were delighted to have Fr.Peter McVerry visit and speak to 5th year students about the homeless crisis and the work he has dedicated his life to. 6th year students had an opportunity to listen to a talk by Pat Doyle (CEO of The Peter McVerry Trust) and were actively involved in a thought-provoking question and answer session with him. Kealan Mc Morland who works as Assistant Principal at the Office of Emergency Planning gave an insight to 6th year students about his role with the Department of Defence.
On Wednesday workshops took place for 2nd year students with Stephen Farley from Trócaire and the students from the Green School Committee presented to many classes over the course of the day. Lizzy Noone from World Wise Global Schools joined us to work with 1st year students on the topic of Inequality and students were very engaged in these workshops. It is wonderful to see the student voice playing such a vital role in our activities this week including an opportunity for 2nd year students to peer-teach some our 1st year students about Biodiversity and Climate Change. Tony Daly from 80:20 spoke joined us to speak to our 5th year Politics and Society classes and to Transition year students on the topic 'Facts Matter-Media Literacy', looking at influence online and on social media.
Thursday saw our 5th year Social Justice group take the helm and run workshops with 1st year students on the topics of Fairtrade and Fast Fashion. Stephen Farley from Trócare joined us for a second time this week to continue his work with 2nd years on the topic of Global Justice. Students engaged actively with questions and answers in this workshop as they explored the theme.
Development Education and Social Justice are a core element to a Loreto education and activities are taking place in whole host classes over the course of the week also.