The election is over, the votes have been counted and the new student council members have been chosen. Today, those members received their badges at a presentation in the school hall, at 10.30am.
We were delighted to welcome Minister Peter Burke, Deputy Robert Troy, Councillor Mick Dollard and Councillor Aoife Davitt to the school this morning to take part in the presentation. Ms Sinead Casserly, a colleague of Minister Burke, also attended. Sinead is a past pupil and was in one of the first classes in the school back when it was founded. Another special visitor was Mrs Mary Mulcair who was one of the original group who established the Student Council in April 2019. All the candidates who took part in the election were also invited.
Mr Beehan opened the ceremony by welcoming all the guests. He then introduced the seven members of the outgoing students council. Each member in turn told the invited guests why they put themselves forward for the students council, what they enjoyed most and how they organised the election, which was their last task for the council.
A 'question and answer' session followed, where students eagerly asked our guests many and varied questions about their career, eg: who inspired you and did you inspire anyone to go into politics?, how long have you been in politics? and is it hard work? The children were enthralled by the answers. Councillor Dollard is 37 years in politics. Along with all the work he does in the County Council, he also helps out with many committees in the community. Councillor Davitt told the children that she feels there isn't enough women in politics. She hopes to be a voice for women and would like to encourage more women into politics. Deputy Troy began his political career in 2004. Before that, he was on the very first students council in St Finian's College. He thinks that the most important part of his role is to be the voice for the people. Minister Burke pointed out that he wasn't elected the first time he ran for public office but he didn't give up. He encouraged all the children to follow their dreams and never to give up.
The deputies then presented the outgoing student council with a small gift in acknowledgement for their hard work over the past year before presenting the new elected candidates with their student council badges.
We would like to thank all our guests for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit the school and impart their extensive knowledge. We would also like to wish our new student council all the very best for the coming year!
