St Nathy’s College in Ballaghaderreen has been granted official status as a Champion School of Sanctuary, making it the first secondary school in Co. Roscommon to hold the designation.
The Champion School of Sanctuary award is an official recognition from Places of Sanctuary Ireland and attests to how schools work to symbolise and realise an inclusive, welcoming and safe space for all pupils and their families, especially newcomers who come from refugee and migrant communities and other ethnic minorities, including the Traveller community.
As well as celebrating diversity and inclusion, through activities and events in the school and the local community, these schools consistently build knowledge and understanding among the students and the staff about tackling racism and prejudice and about the nature of forced migration.
Schools of Sanctuary Ireland is supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Community Foundation of Ireland and other generous philanthropic donors.
Its mission is to work with schools all throughout Ireland, at primary and post-primary level, to support them to embrace their role in equipping students with the education and ethos to build an inclusive and equitable future for all.
