On Wednesday 9th of April, Minister for Education of the N. Ireland assembly Mr John O’Dowd took time out of his very busy schedule, to visit Edmund Rice College.
On arrival, the Minister was welcomed by the Head Boy Aidan Harris and the two Deputies Ronan O’Neil and Dylan McCrudden; who escorted Mr O’Dowd to a short traditional Irish Music Session, with Pearce Mc Fall singing Solo. Mr O’Dowd was blown away by the outstanding singing and musical instrument playing by the school choir which was put together by Mrs McGuigan and Miss McGoldrick.
After this, Mr Friel took the guest on a short tour of the school, which took in places such as the newly built Technology Department. Mr O’Dowd was shown the facilities and the Board of Governors presented the Minister with a gift of table mats embroiled with the minister’s family crest, which was to show the school’s appreciation towards the visit.
The Year 11s and some senior pupils took part in a specially organised version of the famous Television Show Question Time, in which the students were allowed to ask Mr O’Dowd questions on any topic they felt appropriate. These included everything such as Irish Independence, the visit of the Queen of England, Educational questions about the allocation of budgets and Sinn Fein’s refusal to sit in the English Parliament of West Minister. This was an extremely enjoyable and knowledgeable event, in which the pupils were able to get their views heard by such a well-known political leader on such diverse and sometimes controversial issues on the politics of the island of Ireland. This was an extremely well-organised event, co-ordinated by Mrs O’Connor in co-operation with the Year 11’s BBC’s School Media Report.
Finally, there was a small gathering of the Board of Governors along with senior pupils who had a refreshing conversation with Mr O’Dowd, who is very approachable and ‘down to earth’. The visit of the Educational Minister was a chance to show off the brilliant school we have to such an important figure who contributes to the running of the Stormont Assembly. Mr O’Dowd was then off for a Royal Visit to Buckingham Palace along with all the Ministers of the Executive, who were visiting as guests to mark the state visit of Irish President Michael D’Higgins to England.
As head boy of the college, I would like to put on record my appreciation to Mr O’Dowd for visiting the school, and I hope that he enjoyed his visit to the college. (Aidan Harris – Head Boy 2013/14)
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