ACC pledges to become School of Sanctuary
Rebekah O'Reilly
Athlone Community College hopes to become the town's first School of Sanctuary by the end of the year after signing a pledge on Wednesday, December 4.
The title is awarded by the organisation School of Sanctuary Ireland and is based on three key pillars: learn, action, share.
Niamh Vrain, Inclusivity and Diversity Officer at Athlone Community College, and Lisa O'Kennedy, Principal, have been leading the way to ensuring that the secondary school is a safe space for all students.
The school boasts 58 different nationalities, and has already taken steps to encourage each student feels valued, and included in the school community.
"Last year we hosted Inclusion and Diversity Day," said Niamh. "Students set up tables to show off different aspects of their culture and nationalities. It was amazing how many students came forward and actually wanted to get involved.
"The staff and students remember it as one of the best school days from last year. There was a great buzz around the school, and the positivity that came out of it."
Schools of Sanctuary Ireland started in the Republic of Ireland in 2019, and co-ordinator Sive O'Connor has been involved in helping Athlone Community College to started on their journey.
"We hope to become a Champion School by the end of the year," Niamh said. She explained that there were a number of steps that needed to take place first.
The school is required to have something linked to migration, diversity and multi-cultural inclusivity available in all communal spaces in the school.
They will share all the work being undertaken to make the school a more safe and inclusive space on social media.
As part of the action task, the school hopes to incorporate diversity into its Christmas plans. Niamh said: "At our Christmas Fair, we hope to have a table with samples of food from each different country represented in our school community."
When asked what inspired Athlone Community College to get involved in the initiative, she said: "It's so important in the current climate for everyone to be open to diversity.
"The students are open - when we were signing the pledge there were queues of students looking to get involved. I think adults can learn from the students enthusiasm."
Athlone already has two sanctuary spaces in the Aidan Heavey Library and the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone - and Athlone Community College hopes to work with them to build a more inclusive and connected environment in the town.