The second CEIST Student Leadership Conference took place on Tuesday March 15th in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. Four students from OLM were selected to attend this conference; Brian Gaskin, Carl Gannon, Lauren Buchanan and Graham Gilshinin. They were selected due to the leadership qualities they display in OLM through their work with the sports council and amnesty international.
The event was a great success with 80 CEIST schools sending representatives from their student body. After the opening liturgy and dramatization the students went into workshops where they heard presentations from students who had displayed leadership in their own schools.
OLM were one of the presenting groups. Our four students presented one of eight presentations taking place that day. The students gave a very impressive presentation and afterwards the students in the audience were asked to comment on the values they felt our school held. Some words that were used to describe OLM by the audience were: Ambitious, Free Spirited, Moral Views, Positivity, Open Minded, Community, Student Voice, Staying Healthy.
As the Conference also coincided with Proclamation Day it was fitting that the 1916 Rising was marked in this centenary year. Presentation Thurles enacted the signing and reading of the Proclamation at the commencement of the Student Conference. At the end of the day each student also received a copy of the Proclamation.
After lunch the students returned to the main lecture theatre where they heard the youngest TD elected to this Dail speak about his own leadership journey.
Amongst other things Jack Chambers, a TD for Dublin West told students to stay focused and determined and not distracted by the negative views from others who may not wish them to succeed.
Earlier in the day the students received a surprise visit from former Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, who dropped into the workshops to say hello and commend them on their commitment to leadership in their own schools.
