Each year students from St. Mary's Academy participate in Ireland's Young Social Innovator Programme. This year TY students have embarked on two separate projects all dealing with elements of the Global Goals Sustainable Development Initiative.
Students from 4H base class have worked with Ms Walshe on the 'We Belong' Project. This project is running in the school this year as a focus on our attitudes towards Gender Identity. Students took part in questionaires regarding their understanding of elements within the area of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender orientations. Workshops were held where correct information and explanations were provided informing the student body of positive language in our attitudes towards each other.
4K base class worked on the 'I Belong' Project. This initiative hopes to highlight the need for Integration and acceptance of different cultures and traditions from within our school community. Surveys have shown there to be over 17 countries represented in our school demographic.Over 10 languages are deemed to be students 'first language' at home.
Both projects aim to promote a positive, inclusive atmosphere within our school, amongst students, staff, families and the wider community. The projects will be judged by a YSI panel this March!