WATCH: St Colman’s student councillors put their questions to the pros

St Colman’s National School’s budding student politicians hosted a group of local TDs and councillors on Friday morning.

Minister of State Peter Burke, Deputy Robert Troy and Cllrs Aoife Davitt and Mick Dollard were warmly welcomed by Darragh McCabe and his colleagues in the outgoing Student Council (Aoife Walters, Amaia Lozano, Isabella Bradley, Devin Pentony, Polly Keegan and Theo Kelly).

The 12 new members (Ali McDonald, Hugh Devine, Tommy Maughan, Chloe Moore, Dylan McAteer, Jack Lyons, Jack Sheehy, Conor Walters, Aoife Irvine, Manus Kelly, Laura McGrath and David Golden) were voted in by their classmates in an election last Friday, when the school hall was transformed into a polling station complete with ballot papers, ballot boxes and a polling booth.

Dozens of children from the four senior classes ran in the election, designing posters and creating manifestos, while the outgoing student council counted the votes. Only the tallies of the winning candidates were announced to ensure the experience was a positive one for all the students.

After Deputy Troy made a presentation on behalf of the school to the outgoing members of the student council and Minister Burke presented the newly elected members with student council badges, the four visiting politicians were asked a series of questions from the students who ran for election.

Cllr Mick Dollard explained why he got into politics and how helping people secure social housing is one of his most roles as a local representative. He also stressed the importance of education.

Cllr Aoife Davitt told the students that she wished she had entered politics earlier and that it is important that more women go into politics. She also advised the students that if they have are passionate about something, they should follow their dreams.

Deputy Troy said that at present the Dáil is not reflective enough of Irish society as a whole and that he would like to see a more multi-cultural mix and a greater gender balance. The Fianna Fáil TD told the students that the first election he won was when he ran for the student council at St Finian’s College. He added that when people climb the political ladder, they should not “pull up the ladder” to prevent others from making progress but rather should encourage others to run for election.

Minister Burke said he enjoys his work and the most rewarding part of his job as a TD and junior minister is helping people.

“The biggest and most rewarding part is achieving things for families in our community and making their lives a little easier. That’s what we are all trying to do.” It is important that the supports are there for people “to live a full life right from the cradle to the end of their life” and that they “have the opportunity to realise their partition and fulfil their potential”.

School principal Ger Beehan thanked the elected representatives for attending the event, and praised the outgoing student council for their contribution to school life over the last year. Mr Beehan told the incoming members of the new council that they had a “huge responsibility” to be the voice of their peers.

“This is the same responsibility that has been given to the people of Westmeath to our esteemed guests today.”

Mr Beehan praised all of the students who ran for election. “If you had walked into this hall a week ago, you’d have seen ballot boxes, partitions, speeches taking place.

“It takes an awful lot of bravery and takes confidence. I think a lot of children grew in confidence. It also builds resilience, because for every member of the student council that is elected there are a number of children who put themselves forward but weren’t successful. Will you go again? Absolutely. You dust yourself off and you go again – every child here put themselves forward, which is a fantastic thing.”

The student council in St Colman’s was founded in 2018 by teachers Mary Mulcair, Noreen Murphy, Rachel Nugent and Aisling Walters.

“The purpose of the council is to increase self-confidence by empowering the children. They learn that they can contribute to their environment, make a difference and that their voices will be heard,” says Ms Walters.