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Message From
President McAleese
I am delighted to sendmy best wishes to the Transition Year students in
Holy Faith Secondary School and to congratulate you on your initiative in holding a
special 'Disability Awareness Week'. For too long, the gifts and insight of people
with disabilities have been confined to the margins of our society. That stunting of
talent has proved to be an immense loss for all of us, as well as for the many individuals
whose gifts have not been allowed to flourish and whose voices have been left unheard. Mary McAleese
Message From An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern I am delighted to send special greetings to the parents, teachers and students of Holy Faith Secondary School in Clontarf during your 'Disability Awareness Week'. My good friend Paul Kiely who is Chief Executive of the Central Remedial
Clinic has kept me informed about the wonderful bond of friendship which exists between
your school and the clinic. Your 'Fast Friends' programme is a model, I think, of
the close relationship which should exist between two institutions whose aims are so much
the same, but whose students are so different. As a nation we have special talents of welcoming, friendliness, generosity and fun, and I know you bring all those to your work as well as skills of horticulture, cookery, arts and crafts. I have been told reliably that no flour or pastry ever finds its way to any person's face or hair! You are engaged in wonderful work, and I congratulate you all most heartily, because I am certain that you will carry the passion and experiences within you all the days of your lives. Have an exciting and interesting week. Taoiseach
On behalf of the staff and students of Holy Faith Clontarf, I would like to welcome our visitors to Disability Awareness Week. As part of the National Disability Week we are very happy to host a programme and information week to help promote awareness of disability in the community. Over many years the students of Holy Faith have had a close relationship with the Central Remedial Clinic and our Transition Year pupils visit the C.R.C. every week to participate in the 'Fast Friends' programme. Through this programme, most of our students are aware of the problems of students with special educational needs and disabilities and knowledge is the first step in breaking down barriers. During this week we hope to spread a little more knowledge and understanding of the problems of the disabled. I would like to thank Ms. O'Toole and the Transition Year students for helping to organise this worthy initiative and also to thank all of the staff and students who have helped in the preparation for this week. I hope all our guests enjoy Disabitity Awareness Week and by visiting the stands, exhibits and lectures that their knowledge and appreciation of the problems of disability will be enhanced. John Dowling
Monday May 10
Tuesday May 11
Wednesday May 12
Thursday May 13
Friday May 14
The programme began in 1993 as a pilot scheme for 10 weeks with 25 students. By 1994 the programme had grown significantly in its scope and range and the number of participating students had increased to 30. In 1994 the students also began a year long drama project. In 1995, there were 40 Holy Faith students involved with the C.R.C. and the first exhibition of work was held. There was a music and dance performance in the Ormond Multimedia theatre in association with the Drake Music Project. In 1996, 45 students were involved in the project and there was a production of Torc of Gold Opera in association with The National Chamber Choir. In 1997, the students were involved in a workshop of clay modelling and there was a trip to the Museum of Modern Art. The continued success of the integration C.R.C. programme with Holy Faith is evident in the vast range of activities which are ongoing, for example, arts and crafts, gardening, drama, sport, cookery, woodwork and flower arranging. There are annual events which include the Halloween and Fancy Dress Party and the Christmas Party.
Why Do People Stare? Why Do some people stare Tessa Cooke, First Year.
Give Me a Chance Eyes shooting fateful glares What have I done wrong? Locked up in a cage of loneliness, I am not a stranger, Aoife Twomey - Fifth Year
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