A local primary school in Belfast has used art to help create awareness about the travelling community!
This week sees the launch of a new initiative which it is hoped will enable the general public to have a greater awareness and understanding of the travelling community in Northern Ireland.
Traveller Focus week is taking place throughout Northern and Southern Ireland and includes the involvement of many governmental and educational organisations working in partnership with the travelling community.
As part of the week long initiative one local primary school has taken a leading part in raising awareness about the travelling community. St Mary's Primary School from Divis Street in Belfast has long advocated and supported the local travelling community. It has an established reputation for promoting the interests of the travelling community children who attend the school and breaking down negative perceptions about the travelling community in general.
For Traveller focus week, St Mary's primary school has taken a lead role in showcasing the achievements of the local travelling community and the pupils of the school. The school has organised a number of key events aimed at increasing awareness including an art work exhibition produced by traveller children which can viewed at CCMS Donegal street premises in Belfast.
In addition St Mary's Primary School itself will be open to the general public and the school is actively encouraging people to visit and to get a sense of the achievements and successes of the school, staff and their pupils. Pupils from St Mary's will also be working with local primary schools over the coming weeks on a variety of projects including creating nativity scenes and making Christmas cribs.
Speaking at the launch the principal of St Mary's primary school, Mr Gerry Murphy said;
St Mary's Primary School is delighted to be taking part and making a contribution to Traveller Focus Week. This is a worthwhile initiative which not only showcases the work of our school and pupils but also compliments the ethos and values of our local school community. We would encourage all to support this week’s event.
Malachy Crudden, diversity officer from CCMS said;
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools welcomes the opportunity to showcase the art work of the pupils from St Mary's Primary School as part of Traveller Focus Week at our Donegal street office. St Mary's PS has made an invaluable contribution to the education of children from the traveller community and has been influential in promoting inclusion and respect for diversity for many years.