In what was a fitting conclusion to a wonderful term, the Student Council presented the proceeds of their various fund-raising initiatives to a number of grateful charities and organisations.
In attendance to accept the cheques were Eugene Brannigan from Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery, and Garrett Mullen from Show Racism the Red Card. Also in attendance to receive the hamper of food was Laura Magennis of Dundalk Simon Community.
Another beneficiary of a cheque was the Irish Cancer Society, although unable to have a representative attend on the day. Further money was raised to support the School’s Green Schools Project, Yemen Crisis Appeal, and Louth Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
In all a total of €2868.74 was raised, with the amount presented including donations collected at the School Carol Service, plus further donations from the sale of Christmas Cards for the Irish Cancer Society.
The Student Council raised their money for the Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery and the Irish Cancer Society from Non-Uniform Day.
The money raised for Show Racism the Red Card came from Wear Red Day. The hamper of food, the biggest collected of any year, was the outcome of the Council’s Christmas Food Appeal.
The Council did a really good job in promoting this appeal from early on, and the volume of food donated is a testimony to that.
The Student Council was revamped this year to make it a truely democratic body, and the students have responded in kind.
Elections were held in October, and the Council now encompasses a healthy membership of over 40 students. Under a committed and dedicated team of Officers, properly convened and run meetings held after school, good public relations, improved and frequent communications with the wider student body, school management, and Parent Teachers Association, the Student Council is a body on the move, and a respected and vibrant stakeholder in the school.
The Council is making its presence felt, and that can only be a good thing. The Council is the body that is lifting all boats, and it is very noticeable that students are coming forward in bigger numbers and taking ownership of a wider range of areas and issues in the school. This is how it should be.
Credit for this drive and energy must go to the Officers: Chairperson Katie McKeown, Deputy Chairperson Kerri Halpenny, Secretary Vishva Nagappan, and Public Relations Officer Ashik Prasad.
Badges were presented to the newly-elected Officers and members of the Council last week. The Officers were presented at Wednesday’s Assembly, and the remaining members were presented on Friday morning in advance of the Presentations.
To mark the new beginning, the Council decided to change the colour of the badge from green back to white, the original colour of the badge.
In advance of Friday’s end of term Assembly, at which the cheques and hamper were formally presented, the Council held a reception for their guests, where words were spoken and photos were taken. All Council members were present.
The Council wishes to thank the TY Catering Group, under the watchful eye of Manager, Kate O’Brien, for organising the serving of refreshments at the reception.
All in all, a fitting way to conclude a wonderful term.