SCHOOLS WERE PREPARED FOR DIFFICULT RETURN THIS WEEK
SCHOOLS WERE PREPARED FOR DIFFICULT RETURN THIS WEEK
New term begins in wake of tragedy
BY: ADRIAN MULLAN
SCHOOLS in Omagh returned this week to begin a new term, but although there were the traditional new uniforms, pencil cases, and accessories, there was something missing from many of the children who walked through the school gates - innocence.
Some children have seen and heard things, that would numb the most hardened of adults, others have lost family members or friends, some have been injured themselves, and there are few who have escaped the horrific images that have surrounded the worst atrocity of the 'troubles'.
Schools have taken a range of measures to ensure that those who carry scars, mental and physical, receive the appropriate support.
Facing one of the toughest times was Omagh High School, which suffered the loss of pupils and former pupils. Seventeen year-old Samantha McFarland had moved from Omagh High to Strabane Grammar, Lorraine Wilson (15), her best friend would have taken her GCSE's later this year. Alan Radford aged 16 was also a pupil at the school. Past pupils, Esther Gibson (36) and Debra Cartwright (20) also perished in the blast.
In an attempt to gauge the scale of the problem that faces the school, Principal, Bill Harpur, addressed a group of senior pupils who attended on Tuesday. He asked them if they wanted a special assembly and the response was a resounding 'yes', with the children having an input. "Indeed", said Mr Harper, "the pupils have come up with many good ideas."
However, he stressed that children were keen to return to school work as soon after the special assembly as possible.
Continuing, he said that the school had a strong community and that there was a strong community in the area, from which people could draw support. Additionally, he said that the school could avail of services from the WELB for circumstances such as those faced at present by local schools. Some members of the teaching staff are trained in counselling and members of the staff in general, including ancillary staff such as the school nurse, will be keeping a close eye on the situation.
Mr Harpur said he will be keeping the school nurse close to those most directly affected and he said that already he had noticed that some pupils were quite tearful. However, he stressed that a greater concern may be to look out for children who have become withdrawn.
Recognising the need for things to carry on as near to normal as is possible, he stressed the need for sensitivity, he concluded, "Nobody wants to do anything to undermine the loss of colleagues."
Principal of the Omagh Academy, James McBain, said that the first thing on the school's agenda is to; "Restore normality in the lives of these young people affected in any way. The normality of school life is very important."
He acknowledged that young people were very good at supporting each other, but stressed that that did not mean the school was ignoring what had happened, far from it. Rather, Mr McBain's staff were in school for three days last week to discuss ways in which to manage the return to school.
He said that his staff would be drawing on a briefing from the WELB, in which trauma counsellor had articulated strategies for managing just such a situation. Additionally, he pointed out that some members of staff were trained and experienced counsellors.
He continued; "The system to support the young people is there if they need it, those who seek help will receive the best efforts of the staff in this respect. Already two members of staff have been identified as the main people in the strategy and all staff have been asked to be on the alert."
The Christian Brothers staff and management have adopted a holistic approach as was revealed by Principal, Roddy Tierney, this week who said; "Pupils made a planned return to school during Tuesday and Wednesday. The school's approach has been to regard this terrible event as
something which has affected every pupil and every member of staff. We have been very conscious that some our staff and some pupils have suffered more deeply than others. An agreed format for the return of pupils had been discussed prior to the pupil's return, and the programme adopted ensured consistency throughout the various year groups. A prayerful and sensitive approach was used and both staff and pupils responded very positively. Form teachers have undertaken a discreet process of identifying pupils who, during the days, weeks or months ahead, may require help from the various support mechanisms within the school."
Drumragh Integrated College designated two suitably qualified and experienced teachers as counsellors, and the school has been in close contact with the Board's advisor. Additionally, head Mistress, Dr. Kathleen Hinds spoke to the children about the atrocity following an afternoon service in the school.
A staged return was adopted by the management of Loreto Convent Grammar, and Principal, Colm O'Neill commented; The staff are well prepared to welcome the pupils and will be relying on our strong pastoral structures to provide comfort and support those who need it.
"We are grateful to the WELB for providing the expertise of personnel from the Centre for Crisis Management in Education whose services will be available to the school if required."
He concluded, "We will try to establish quickly, an air of normality within the school while giving the pupils time and space to come to terms with the terrible events of the last fortnight."
Headmaster of St Patrick's, Mr Donal McDermott said his staff will be working in conjunction with the WELB advisor, Elizabeth Capewell, and will be assessing the risk to pupils. One pupil has been bereaved and said Mr McDermott, "Others have seen things that the children should not see." The task, said Mr McDermott, was to identify those in need of special support. "Much of the trauma may not show in the early months." He recognised that both children and members of staff could be at different stages of grieving and said that he had had a session with staff affording them the opportunity to express their own feelings; additionally, he said that the Welfare Officer of the CCMS would be available to help if needed.
Vice-Principal of St. Brigid's High School, Enda Cullen, affirmed that staff had been meeting with the board specialist on bereavement counselling, Elizabeth Capewell, and were looking into ways of handling the situation. First years returned to the school on Tuesday whilst the year 14's returned on Wednesday. All of the victims were prayed for at assembly, and the importance of the school community in the healing process was stressed. The assembly heard that the staff and pupils were going to work and be successful and make the people of West-Tyrone proud of the school. Mr Cullen said that teachers had met extensively and talked about a way forward. "We have staff in the school who are qualified and experienced in bereavement and youth counselling. It was stressed that St. Brigid's is a community, and as a community we look after each other, we have that ethos." He said that the school would be approaching the trauma through the normal channels. Earlier this year the school faced trauma following the murder of past-pupil, Sylvia Fleming.
Mr Cullen said that the teachers have guaranteed the pupils that they will provide a safe environment and said that it was important that the school gets back into a normal routine, all the while being sensitive and perceptive, to children's and staff needs.
Concluding, Mr Cullen, from Armagh said; "I don't know if there is any other place in the world that would have had such dignity as Omagh and West-Tyrone."
New term begins in wake of tragedy
BY: ADRIAN MULLAN
SCHOOLS in Omagh returned this week to begin a new term, but although there were the traditional new uniforms, pencil cases, and accessories, there was something missing from many of the children who walked through the school gates - innocence.
Some children have seen and heard things, that would numb the most hardened of adults, others have lost family members or friends, some have been injured themselves, and there are few who have escaped the horrific images that have surrounded the worst atrocity of the 'troubles'.
Schools have taken a range of measures to ensure that those who carry scars, mental and physical, receive the appropriate support.
Facing one of the toughest times was Omagh High School, which suffered the loss of pupils and former pupils. Seventeen year-old Samantha McFarland had moved from Omagh High to Strabane Grammar, Lorraine Wilson (15), her best friend would have taken her GCSE's later this year. Alan Radford aged 16 was also a pupil at the school. Past pupils, Esther Gibson (36) and Debra Cartwright (20) also perished in the blast.
In an attempt to gauge the scale of the problem that faces the school, Principal, Bill Harpur, addressed a group of senior pupils who attended on Tuesday. He asked them if they wanted a special assembly and the response was a resounding 'yes', with the children having an input. "Indeed", said Mr Harper, "the pupils have come up with many good ideas."
However, he stressed that children were keen to return to school work as soon after the special assembly as possible.
Continuing, he said that the school had a strong community and that there was a strong community in the area, from which people could draw support. Additionally, he said that the school could avail of services from the WELB for circumstances such as those faced at present by local schools. Some members of the teaching staff are trained in counselling and members of the staff in general, including ancillary staff such as the school nurse, will be keeping a close eye on the situation.
Mr Harpur said he will be keeping the school nurse close to those most directly affected and he said that already he had noticed that some pupils were quite tearful. However, he stressed that a greater concern may be to look out for children who have become withdrawn.
Recognising the need for things to carry on as near to normal as is possible, he stressed the need for sensitivity, he concluded, "Nobody wants to do anything to undermine the loss of colleagues."
Principal of the Omagh Academy, James McBain, said that the first thing on the school's agenda is to; "Restore normality in the lives of these young people affected in any way. The normality of school life is very important."
He acknowledged that young people were very good at supporting each other, but stressed that that did not mean the school was ignoring what had happened, far from it. Rather, Mr McBain's staff were in school for three days last week to discuss ways in which to manage the return to school.
He said that his staff would be drawing on a briefing from the WELB, in which trauma counsellor had articulated strategies for managing just such a situation. Additionally, he pointed out that some members of staff were trained and experienced counsellors.
He continued; "The system to support the young people is there if they need it, those who seek help will receive the best efforts of the staff in this respect. Already two members of staff have been identified as the main people in the strategy and all staff have been asked to be on the alert."
The Christian Brothers staff and management have adopted a holistic approach as was revealed by Principal, Roddy Tierney, this week who said; "Pupils made a planned return to school during Tuesday and Wednesday. The school's approach has been to regard this terrible event as
something which has affected every pupil and every member of staff. We have been very conscious that some our staff and some pupils have suffered more deeply than others. An agreed format for the return of pupils had been discussed prior to the pupil's return, and the programme adopted ensured consistency throughout the various year groups. A prayerful and sensitive approach was used and both staff and pupils responded very positively. Form teachers have undertaken a discreet process of identifying pupils who, during the days, weeks or months ahead, may require help from the various support mechanisms within the school."
Drumragh Integrated College designated two suitably qualified and experienced teachers as counsellors, and the school has been in close contact with the Board's advisor. Additionally, head Mistress, Dr. Kathleen Hinds spoke to the children about the atrocity following an afternoon service in the school.
A staged return was adopted by the management of Loreto Convent Grammar, and Principal, Colm O'Neill commented; The staff are well prepared to welcome the pupils and will be relying on our strong pastoral structures to provide comfort and support those who need it.
"We are grateful to the WELB for providing the expertise of personnel from the Centre for Crisis Management in Education whose services will be available to the school if required."
He concluded, "We will try to establish quickly, an air of normality within the school while giving the pupils time and space to come to terms with the terrible events of the last fortnight."
Headmaster of St Patrick's, Mr Donal McDermott said his staff will be working in conjunction with the WELB advisor, Elizabeth Capewell, and will be assessing the risk to pupils. One pupil has been bereaved and said Mr McDermott, "Others have seen things that the children should not see." The task, said Mr McDermott, was to identify those in need of special support. "Much of the trauma may not show in the early months." He recognised that both children and members of staff could be at different stages of grieving and said that he had had a session with staff affording them the opportunity to express their own feelings; additionally, he said that the Welfare Officer of the CCMS would be available to help if needed.
Vice-Principal of St. Brigid's High School, Enda Cullen, affirmed that staff had been meeting with the board specialist on bereavement counselling, Elizabeth Capewell, and were looking into ways of handling the situation. First years returned to the school on Tuesday whilst the year 14's returned on Wednesday. All of the victims were prayed for at assembly, and the importance of the school community in the healing process was stressed. The assembly heard that the staff and pupils were going to work and be successful and make the people of West-Tyrone proud of the school. Mr Cullen said that teachers had met extensively and talked about a way forward. "We have staff in the school who are qualified and experienced in bereavement and youth counselling. It was stressed that St. Brigid's is a community, and as a community we look after each other, we have that ethos." He said that the school would be approaching the trauma through the normal channels. Earlier this year the school faced trauma following the murder of past-pupil, Sylvia Fleming.
Mr Cullen said that the teachers have guaranteed the pupils that they will provide a safe environment and said that it was important that the school gets back into a normal routine, all the while being sensitive and perceptive, to children's and staff needs.
Concluding, Mr Cullen, from Armagh said; "I don't know if there is any other place in the world that would have had such dignity as Omagh and West-Tyrone."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0275
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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