20.09.2019
Second Level Students Mark Beginning of New School Year
Second level students from all over Ireland travelled to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, yesterday afternoon (Thursday September 19) for the annual service to mark the beginning of the new academic year.
Archbishop Michael Jackson presided at the service of Choral Evensong which was attended by the Minister of State at the Department of Education Mary Mitchell–O’Connor. The service is organised by the General Synod Board of Education (RI).
The address was given by the operations and development manager with Gaisce, the President’s Award, Avril Ryan. Gaisce is a personal development programme for young people aged 15 to 25 to dream big and reach their potential. Ms Ryan said the programme was designed to enable young people in Ireland to explore their strengths and use them for the betterment of themselves and their communities.
“Gaisce celebrates the positive impact young people have on their communities. The values fostered are empowerment, respect, excellence, equality and inclusion,” she commented. “It inspires young people to extend their expectations of themselves and encouraged young people to take the lead in their own lives. Above all it’s fun.”
The Archbishop drew the service to a close with a blessing in which he prayed for young people and all involved in education.
Afterwards schools were presented with framed photographs taken during last year’s service.
