Greenhills Marks Stand Up Awareness Week
Our Lady’s College, Greenhills has been marking Stand Up Awareness Week (November 6th to 10th) in a series of school-based events centred on the promotion of inclusion through opportunities to recognise and celebrate LGBTQ+ students. The school joins over 70% of post-primary schools in Ireland in participating in the campaign.
For twelve years, the BeLonG To Youth Services campaign has been a time for schools and youth services all over the country to take a stand against homophobic, biophobic and transphobic bullying and promote friendship and allyship.
Co-ordinated by the Wellbeing team in Greenhills, students have been engaging in presentations, workshops and class discussions that address the need for respect and acceptance of diversity in multiple forms.
A highlight of the week was the raising of the LGBTQ+ flag in the school grounds and a group of teachers proudly sported the rainbow colours to mark the school’s commitment to inclusion and respect for all.
The theme of allyship is the focus of this year’s campaign. Addressing the students assembled at the rainbow flag ceremony, principal Geraldine Mulvihill reminded them that being an ally means being a listening era, being conscious of the power of language and being or getting support for a fellow student who may need it.
She went on to point out that although there has been progress towards equal rights for all we cannot become complacent. Ms. Mulvihill also alluded to the conflict present in so many parts of the world, referencing Gaza and Ukraine specifically and the lack of respect for human life that we witness every day.
She concluded her address with a reminder to the students never to take for granted the power of kindness and celebration of diversity so that all can fully participate in school and in society.
