Importance of Strule campus highlighted by Omagh school pupils

STUDENTS from the six post-primary schools in Omagh that will be housed in the proposed Strule Shared Education Campus came together to highlight the importance of the scheme to the future of the town.

The event, held in Arvalee School and Resource Centre last Thursday, was also attended by the principals of each of the schools, local politicians and the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Education, Mark Browne.

As it stands, Arvalee is the only school to have moved into new accommodation on the site.

The other schools involved in the much-delayed project are Loreto Grammar, the CBS, Sacred Heart College, Omagh Academy and Omagh High.

Susan Cullinan, from Loreto, outlined the importance of the elected representatives continuing to advocate for the project to be a priority for the new Education Minister, Paul Givan, and the NI Executive.

Arvalee student, Fiolyn, and Sarah Jane, from Loreto, spoke of their pride at taking part in inclusion projects through the Strule Campus, while Arvalee principal, Jonathan Gray, emphasised the importance of pupils from his school being involved in inclusive education.

“The Strule Campus will be truly unique in Europe in terms of inclusion with a post-primary special school on site and fully participating in this shared campus,” he added.

Alex, from the Sacred Heart College, and Lena, from Omagh Academy, talked about the collaborative projects in which they had been involved, and drew attention to the potential that being located on the same campus will have for students in the future to study more diverse subjects.

Principals Foncy McConnell, of Omagh CBS, and Christos Gaitatzis, of Omagh High School, went on to highlight how the campus would further enhance the already-existing collaborative work and shared curricular experiences between the Strule schools and how the proximity to each other would bring this to a completely new level.

Callum, from the Christian Brothers, and Vaughan, from Omagh High School, spoke of how their work on the Strule Student Council allowed them to not only develop a deeper understanding of other cultures, but how their own culture was perceived by others.

Michael Gormley, principal of Sacred Heart College, spoke of the links that have always existed between the Strule schools that allow students involved in reconciliation projects to focus on understanding, respecting and celebrating their culture and that of others.

Omagh Academy principal, Ruth Maxwell, brought the event to a close by praising the pupils for their contributions.