School of Sanctuary Portfolio

A word from the Principal

Creagh College is committed to inclusion and providing a learning environment for all of our students. This is a place where young people study, learn and socialise with peers whose families are from all across the world: from all continents (except Antarctica!) and from nearly fifty different countries.

While many speak of 'diversity' as a 'challenge', we have always seen diversity as one of our greatest strengths. Diversity is not just about nationality; all faith groups are welcome in our school, we are co-educational and multidemoninational.

Our values naturally coincide with those of the School of Sanctuary and it is a source of great pride for us thtat many of our students, including many who have arrived in our community in need and of and seeking sanctuary have overcome enormous obstacles to achieve success in life, whether that be academic, personal sporting or artistic.

It is a time of great turmoil in the world; war, famine, poverty, economic and political oppression has brought many new families to our community in search of sanctuary. We will continue to welcome those in need of our help and support. We know that while we can be proud of our work in supporting and welcoming all those in need of sanctuary, they themselves bring far more to our school: they add to the diversity of our community, their life experiences, aspirations, resillience and strength adds to and enhances ours and together we can overcome the obstacles and do our small part in making this world a better place for everyone.
Paul Glynn Principal

Our journey so far:
The beginning
Eleven years ago in September 2011 our school opened its doors for the first time and we welcomed 56 students through its doors. A few months later on the 27th of January 2012, we held our first Cultural Programme Meeting. We were conscious that we had several students from different cultural backgrounds. We recognised even at this early stage of our school’s development that it was necessary to extend an extra warm welcome to those young people who may be experiencing new barriers, unfamiliar with the school system and all that comes with coming to a new country. Our first census of different nationalities in 2011 consisted of Hungarian, Lativan, German, Polish, Sri Lanka, Thai,Ukrainian and Irish cultures.

To spread Awareness and to learn as a whole school, we decided to hold Seachtain na Gaeile with a twist. We celebrated all that was Irish, also including elements from other cultures that were part of our school now. We used the intercom to say hello in different languages, had an art competition, a poetry competition celebrating poets from other countries. Our club began with these 7 students and their input was very important. It helped to guide us on our journey of a school where inclusion was at the core of who we would become. This was our first cultural event which was held on St Patricks week in 2011 We embraced and celebrated all our student.

And On our Journey goes

Only three years in operation, in September 2014 we now have students in First, Second and Third year. Eager to continue our journey as a school who promotes Inclusion and cultural diversity, it was priority to support our school community to LEARN about other cultures so we held an Art competition in October with the theme “Multi Cultural Ireland”. All the photos were displayed, and a winner was chosen by the students themselves .In March 2014 we had a week long festivity celebrating the diversity of 23 different cultures who were now part of our school community. The week included a céilí where all the students had the opportunity to take part and dance. Another afternoon involved a Samba performance which also offered our students the opportunity to join in. Food stands where organised and our students enjoyed cuisine from different parts of the world. It was a wonderful week of dance, song and quizzes, orienteering, cementing Creagh College as a place where diversity is celebrated and welcomed. We ended our week with a fabulous show, involving each culture of our school being participating in a Parade of Flags. Parents, BOM dignatories from the town witnessed each student proudly marching, holding their flag of their country high in the air to the beat of the African drum.

That day, the Creagh College community had set in stone the type of school we wanted be: A school where everyone is welcome and a school where diversity is celebrated. We planted our Tree of Hope and our Culture Day Song was sung. Our Map of the world was hung at the front door and posters created by all our students covered our walls with a sea of colour

1916 Commemoration
By 2016 our school enjoyed the inclusion of 27 cultures. The Culture Club was honoured to coordinate Creagh College 1916 commemoration Ceremony. Putting the LEARNING into ACTION, this very poignant ceremony gave all of us the opportunity to share the experiences of cultural diversity in our school, while giving homage to the men and women who sacrificed their lives one hundred years earlier so that we would have the freedoms we are privileged to live with today. The event was started off by welcoming our students from four new countries where they marched with their flag which was displayed on the stage for all to see. Playing our National Anthem with the Uilleann Pipes, songs of Mise Eire, listening to the 1916 proclamation and the names of those who signed it, and a wonderful speech by a member of our Army. The proclamation was read in polish, English and Irish in school and in the local library at a commendation ceremony

A Taste of Christmas
Further Action, continuing our journey in 2018 ‘A Taste of Christmas’ involving students from over twenty different cultures cooked beside each other, an array of smells of foods from all over the world were cooked in our Home Economics Rooms. The school community was given the opportunity to sample this wonderful array of tastes and smells at lunch time.This was a huge success and the staff, students and guests were very happy to try a taste of something new.

Polish Day

We hosted a ‘Polish Day’ to celebrate the largest cultural group within our school. With food, music, dance, costumes and an informative Talk given by a parent of one of our Polish students. This was all set against the backdrop of a large and wonderful photographic exhibition ‘The Road to Freedom’ through the lens of Chris Niedenthal. This deepened our connection with our Polish community in Gorey, allowing us to participate in the local Gorey Polish celebration which was held on the same day throughout the town. The Culture Club contacted the Polish Community in Gorey and joined in with’ Bridging the Culture with the National celebrations of ‘Culture Night’ on Friday 20th September 2019. This event was organized to share knowledge about the Polish Culture to our students and the wider community. As part of this celebration we invited parents and family of students with Polish heritage to the photography exhibition and celebration of Irish and Polish Culture. A school tour to Poland was also planned but unfortunately the covid 19 pandemic meant we could not travel. This trip is to be organised in the future.

Our introduction to the School of Sanctuary

OUR SCHOOL OF SANCTUARY CAMPAIGN

As our Vision is that the ‘Culture’ of Creagh is one of Welcome and Inclusion, where diversity and acceptance of difference is at the centre of who we strive to be, becoming a School of Sanctuary fitted into our core beliefs. Using the framework of Learn, Action and Share helped us to further our journey on reaching our goals.

In August 2019 The Direct Provision Centre in Courtown was established. By September, supports were already well in place to welcome and accommodate our new students.

In September 2019 our new students were settling into Creagh College and we were delighted to welcome Tiffy Allen and Homayoon Shirzad from Schools of Sanctuary, and Rania Ehainer from the Direct Provision Centre to our Politics and Society class. We learned about their journey, how they have suffered and what they have left behind. Hearing and learning about this deepened our understanding and commitment as a school to accept all with an aim to show empathy and solidarity to all students in our school.