Connor Phillips visits Drumragh for Integrated Education Month

IN celebration of Integrated Education Month this March, Drumragh Integrated College in Omagh welcomed BBC Radio Ulster presenter Connor Phillips to the school on Wednesday to speak with pupils about the importance of integrated education.

The popular radio presenter is amongst a handful of other local household names, such as Carl Frampton and Patrick Kielty, who are ambassadors in promoting the growth of integrated education throughout the North.

The afternoon kicked off with students from the school asking Mr Phillips 50 quick-fire icebreaker questions in order to get to know him a little better.

Having answered such light-hearted questions regarding where he was born, what his favourite takeaway is, and whether he prefers a night in or a night out.

Mr Phillips then spoke about growing up in South Armagh and how his perspective on home changed upon first moving to London.

“When I first went to London, I realised that no one focussed on whether you are protestant or catholic,” he said.

“But with integrated education, you truly have a head start in coming to such a realisation as that, and that is why I am keen to bring integrated education to the wider masses in this country.

“You are all very lucky to be true ambassadors of integrated education.”

Sharing a simple piece of advice with the pupils, he said, “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.”

When asked about his thoughts on the effects of post-integrated education in the workplace, he stated that, “This is a question that really needs to be asked, but I look forward to the day when it doesn’t have to be.”

Mr Phillips was also asked if he thinks his opinion on integrated education would be the same had he never travelled in his youth.

He concluded, “I think my opinion would remain the same because of how I was brought up.

“My grandfather was a big advocate for integration and he was a hero of mine.

“I think that because of that mindset, I was always going to come to the same conclusion regarding the importance of integration.”

Speaking with the UlsterHerald after the event, Mr Phillips said, “The staff and pupils here today have been so welcoming.

“They really embrace integrated education and people’s cultures, views and thoughts.

“We live in a world now where that is incredibly important as there is more that unites us than divides us, so long may it continue.”

Principal of Drumragh Integrated College Imelda Kirk said they were delighted to welcome Connor to the school and that it was an ‘insightful’ and ‘inspirational’ afternoon.

She said, “As an ambassador of integrated education, Connor agreed to come along and share his thoughts and views on integrated education and the power to facilitate change, particularly in Northern Ireland.

“It was inspirational to hear his own story, and for our young people to see that there is a world beyond perhaps the ‘parochial’ nature of aspects of Northern Ireland.”