THE first cohort of students to complete second-level education under the Educate Together patronage graduated recently at Hansfield ETSS.
The group of 36 students are the first Educate Together students to sit the Leaving Certificate examinations.
Opened in 2014 after several years of campaigning and advocacy by parents and the local community in Dublin 15, Hansfield ETSS was the first second-level school in Ireland to open under the sole patronage of Educate Together.
The Hansfield ETSS school community, particularly the group of students graduating and their families, have played a crucial role in pioneering the development of ‘ethical education’ and the ideals of the Educate Together ethos.
“It’s been five years since Hansfield ETSS came together for the very first time as a school community,” said principal of Hansfield ETSS, Bernie Judge.
“The students graduating are in a sense our first born and reared and I want to thank each one of them for the wonderful contribution they have made to Hansfield ETSS and the local community.”
Sixth year student, Christopher Jackson Suia, reflected on his time at the school prior to his graduation.
“Going to an Educate Together School made us the people we are today,” he said.
“We had the chance to go to a school where a variety of different cultures are present and celebrated. This has enabled us to accept each other for who we truly are. I’m very grateful to have been part of creating this very special school community.”
The first Educate Together opened in Dalkey in 1978.
There are now 84 primary and 13 second-level schools around Ireland under the Educate Together banner, providing education for over 26,000 pupils.