The highlight of the Conference for me was the presentation made by the students. Each spoke on their plans within their school and local area to further the work of ERI. They have identified areas of special local need that also have global significance. Three areas identified were homelessness, refugees and children at risk.
The Heads and Governors of our English Schools met in Emmaus, Swords, Co. Dublin for their annual Conference last week. This year the Conference had student representatives from each of the following schools : St. Anselms’ Birkenhead, St. Edward’s Liverpool, St. Aidan’s Sunderland, St. Boniface Plymouth and St. Mary’s Crosby.
Though the Conference was on for just over a day-and-a-half a lot was packed in to the time available. Some of those attending were fortunate enough to be able to include a visit to the Cherry Orchard area and see the work being done there and to meet with some of those who avail of the services of the Cherry Orchard Life Centre.
During the Conference itself participants heard from Kevin Burke, CEO of ERST Northern Ireland, on the challenges facing the Trust in that area. Br. Moy Hitchen from Edmund Rice International spoke on the work being done by ERI in Geneva. Moy’s special area of interest is concerned with preserving our environment and educating young people and teachers on how to best do this.
The highlight of the Conference for me was the presentation made by the Students. Each spoke on their plans within their school and local area to further the work of ERI. They have identified areas of special local need that also have global significance. Three areas identified were homelessness, refugees and children at risk.
The Conference was attended by members of the Province Leadership Team and Br. Edmund Garvey, in his address to the conference, highlighted the growing awareness among all the education partners in the Edmund Rice Network of schools, both in Ireland and England, to work together around the common cause of Catholic education.
Great credit is due to all those who made the Conference a success with special mention for David Kavanagh Shelagh Lochrey and Tom Murray from Edmund Rice Office, Woodeaves.
– Martin O’ Flaherty cfc
Timirí 