The importance of working hard and making good choices

By Mary Dennehy

STUDENTS from Old Bawn Community School are taking a step in the right direction this week by celebrating College Awareness Week – and highlighting the importance of working hard and making informed choices.

To launch the week, which is running from November 21 to 27, students from Old Bawn designed a ‘Steps in the Right Direction’ mural, which inspires students to begin their journey towards a third-level education.

More than 200 students were involved in creating footprints which contained their college and career choices – and dreams of the future.

Old Bawn students were invited to participate in the official national launch of College Awareness Week on Monday, November 21, in the County Library, Tallaght – and throughout the week will attend a number of college talks delivered by third-level institutions in their school.

Teacher Amy Doherty said: “College Awareness Week is a fantastic initiative that we are delighted to be involved with.

“It allows us to focus on the many pathways to college available for our students.

“The campaign is all about getting people talking about post-secondary education and highlighting the opportunities that are out there. We feel it’s important that our students know that a third-level education is both worthwhile and achievable.”

The campaign hopes to support students of all ages to become ‘college ready’ by raising awareness of the benefits of going to college and showcasing local role models who went on to third level.

The week is supported by the Higher Education Authority, the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, the Confederation of Students Services Ireland and the Trinity Access Programmes – with sponsorship from AIB and Perrigo.

For more information visit www.collegeaware.ie.