Nenagh College were delighted to host the inaugural Tipperary Education and Training Board, Student Leadership Congress.

140 students from the eleven Tipperary ETB schools gathered to hear talks on a range of issues and topics relevant to the audience on the day.

Chairperson of the Nenagh College Student Council, Ciara McDonnell, welcomed the delegates and their teachers on behalf of the school with Cllr. John Hogan, Chairperson of Tipperary ETB echoing the welcome on behalf of the ETB.

CE of Tipperary ETB, Ms. Fionuala McGeever, set the context of ETB education and its evolution and development over the decades to the vibrant education provider which is the modern- day ETB.

Ross Munnelly, Director of Alumni Relations at Dublin City University, delivered a very engaging message on the myriad of opportunities available to school goers through higher and further education and the strong tradition of ETB on delivering Post Leaving Cert courses and back to education initiatives.

Marguerite Kiely, Pieta House, delivered a very positive message on Mental Health, awareness, and prevention.

The Keynote speaker, Dr. Niall Muldoon, gave an inspiring talk on the voice of youth and the potential to effect real change which exists within the youth of the country.

Tipperary Youth Services spent the next part of the day in workshops with the student councils working on a vision for the future of the youth voice in Tipperary ETB schools and a strategy for beginning same.

The Congress was brought to a close by Ashling Dunphy, a student of Comeragh College, the Tipperary ETB school located in Carrick– on-Suir. Ashling shared her experiences of her work in the local community and how a persistence and focus can lead to reaching your goal. She gave many examples of initiatives she has been involved in at local, national, and international level.

Reflecting on the success of the day, School Principal, Damien Kennedy spoke of the vision within Tipperary ETB for this forum for students which will enable all the schools to embrace the student body as true partners in the education enterprise more fully.