EDUCATION CHIEF EXTENDS SYMPATHY TO SHATTERED COMMUNITY
Education Chief extends sympathy to shattered community
Board employs specialists in post-trauma recovery
THE Western Education and Library Board has employed the services of two specialists in post-trauma recovery who have helped give support to children throughout the world after major disasters in the past.
The Chief Executive of the WELB, Joseph Martin, announced yesterday (Wed) that the board had obtained the services of the Centre for Crisis Management and Education in light of the terrible events of August 15 in Omagh.
The board chief said that the bombing had shattered so many lives and 'left an aftermath of grief and suffering which is unprecedented in scale and depth'.
Speaking at a board meeting in Omagh, Mr Martin expressed sincere sympathy on behalf of the WELB to all those who had been bereaved and injured in the atrocity, and spoke of the deep impact of the bombing on young people in particular.
The WELB chief told board members that traditionally the beginning of the new school year was 'a time of hope, of change, of new beginnings and looking forward', but the bomb had cast a great pall of depression over the whole country.
"The whole community
"Many others have witnessed horrific scenes and there are few who do not have friends and relatives deeply affected by the traumatic events. Some pupils were awaiting their examination results; all of them were looking to the future with hope," said Mr Martin.
The Chief Executive stated that a former employee of the board, Fred White, was among those killed, together with his son Brian. Other board employees were among the injured.
He said that WELB representatives had visited the homes of all the local pupils who died and had attended funerals in Omagh and Buncrana.
"To the families of all of them our hearts go out as they begin to come to terms with the consequences of the tragedy which has occurred.
"Violent death and injury are abhorrent. When so many children and young people have been affected either directly or indirectly,in Omagh and far beyond has been horribly scarred by the deaths and terrible injuries of so many people."
He continued: "The toll of young lives has been particularly horrendous. Pupils at schools in the area and students at college and university are among the dead and seriously injured, physically or mentally, the horror takes on a new dimension."
Mr Martin felt that schools and teachers would have a key role to play in supporting their pupils in coping with the effect of their experience.
"Already the board has begun the task of supporting the schools and the teachers in this vitally important task. Board staff have met the principals of the schools most directly affected and further meetings will take place during the week.
"The board has now obtained the services of the Centre for Crisis Management and Education which has worked in similar situations throughout the world, and which has an international reputation for helping schools in post-trauma recovery.
"Two specialists from the Centre arrived in Omagh yesterday to work with schools and the youth and library services. They will provide the specialist expertise and experience gained from working in other traumatic situations, including Britain, America, Australia, Israel and Croatia.
"The Director of the Centre, Elizabeth Capewell, who is a former teacher and youth and community worker and who specialises in support after major disasters, has given courses to teachers in Omagh, Enniskillen and Derry in 1994 and worked regularly with schools in the board's area over the past three years.
"In addition to this specialist assistance, the resources of all the board's support services will be made available to schools and teachers and pupils in the weeks and months ahead."
Mr Martin said that the WELB recognised that the education service had a vital role to play in the long term recovery, not only of the pupils but also of the community as a whole.
It would give strategic assistance to schools as well as to individuals as appropriate.
"The board is greatly heartened by the messages of sympathy and support which have been received from all over Ireland, Britain and throughout Europe and the rest of the world."
He concluded: "Even in the midst of all the pain and suffering the immense goodness of the young people shone out like a bright star. It gave us hope that despite terrible evil which stalked the the streets of Omagh, good will ultimately triumph."
Board employs specialists in post-trauma recovery
THE Western Education and Library Board has employed the services of two specialists in post-trauma recovery who have helped give support to children throughout the world after major disasters in the past.
The Chief Executive of the WELB, Joseph Martin, announced yesterday (Wed) that the board had obtained the services of the Centre for Crisis Management and Education in light of the terrible events of August 15 in Omagh.
The board chief said that the bombing had shattered so many lives and 'left an aftermath of grief and suffering which is unprecedented in scale and depth'.
Speaking at a board meeting in Omagh, Mr Martin expressed sincere sympathy on behalf of the WELB to all those who had been bereaved and injured in the atrocity, and spoke of the deep impact of the bombing on young people in particular.
The WELB chief told board members that traditionally the beginning of the new school year was 'a time of hope, of change, of new beginnings and looking forward', but the bomb had cast a great pall of depression over the whole country.
"The whole community
"Many others have witnessed horrific scenes and there are few who do not have friends and relatives deeply affected by the traumatic events. Some pupils were awaiting their examination results; all of them were looking to the future with hope," said Mr Martin.
The Chief Executive stated that a former employee of the board, Fred White, was among those killed, together with his son Brian. Other board employees were among the injured.
He said that WELB representatives had visited the homes of all the local pupils who died and had attended funerals in Omagh and Buncrana.
"To the families of all of them our hearts go out as they begin to come to terms with the consequences of the tragedy which has occurred.
"Violent death and injury are abhorrent. When so many children and young people have been affected either directly or indirectly,in Omagh and far beyond has been horribly scarred by the deaths and terrible injuries of so many people."
He continued: "The toll of young lives has been particularly horrendous. Pupils at schools in the area and students at college and university are among the dead and seriously injured, physically or mentally, the horror takes on a new dimension."
Mr Martin felt that schools and teachers would have a key role to play in supporting their pupils in coping with the effect of their experience.
"Already the board has begun the task of supporting the schools and the teachers in this vitally important task. Board staff have met the principals of the schools most directly affected and further meetings will take place during the week.
"The board has now obtained the services of the Centre for Crisis Management and Education which has worked in similar situations throughout the world, and which has an international reputation for helping schools in post-trauma recovery.
"Two specialists from the Centre arrived in Omagh yesterday to work with schools and the youth and library services. They will provide the specialist expertise and experience gained from working in other traumatic situations, including Britain, America, Australia, Israel and Croatia.
"The Director of the Centre, Elizabeth Capewell, who is a former teacher and youth and community worker and who specialises in support after major disasters, has given courses to teachers in Omagh, Enniskillen and Derry in 1994 and worked regularly with schools in the board's area over the past three years.
"In addition to this specialist assistance, the resources of all the board's support services will be made available to schools and teachers and pupils in the weeks and months ahead."
Mr Martin said that the WELB recognised that the education service had a vital role to play in the long term recovery, not only of the pupils but also of the community as a whole.
It would give strategic assistance to schools as well as to individuals as appropriate.
"The board is greatly heartened by the messages of sympathy and support which have been received from all over Ireland, Britain and throughout Europe and the rest of the world."
He concluded: "Even in the midst of all the pain and suffering the immense goodness of the young people shone out like a bright star. It gave us hope that despite terrible evil which stalked the the streets of Omagh, good will ultimately triumph."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0271
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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