This week we are celebrating Stand Up Awareness Week, an annual campaign run by BeLonG To Youth Services, which gives schools the opportunity to celebrate and recognise their LGBTQ+ community. It is a time when we show solidarity with students and staff to ensure they feel seen, heard, and safe, and to ensure everyone knows that biphobic, homophobic, and transphobic language and bullying will not be tolerated. Students had the opportunity to learn about how to be an ally and how to stand up against hate speech, homophobic and transphobic bullying.
Our JEDI Captains have worked hard to put together a ‘How to report Bullying’ poster that will be displayed in every classroom in the coming weeks. This is to help students, or someone they know, understand how to make the first step in reporting bullying of any kind. The Captains also began to collect signatures to petition the local council to paint the crossing at the traffic lights near the school in rainbow colours in solidarity for our LGBTQ+ community.
We want to remind our school community of the importance of choosing words that heal, not harm. Language is powerful, and while we’ve made progress in banning derogatory, homophobic, and transphobic slurs in public media, such harmful words still find their way into everyday conversation. It’s time to unlearn these damaging habits and replace them with language that uplifts and supports. In Loreto Balbriggan, we believe that awareness is good, but action is better. Together, we will continue to build a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
On Tuesday, students from Loreto schools gathered in Loreto Foxrock for the highly anticipated annual Inter-Loreto Public Speaking Competition. This year’s event tackled two compelling topics: Surviving the Teenage Years and Hopes & Fears for the Future. The competition offered a platform for young voices to share their thoughts on these universal experiences. Representing Loreto Balbriggan with confidence and skill were Lucia, a 3rd Year student, and Bushra, a 6th Year student. Both competitors demonstrated exceptional talent and resilience, crafting thought-provoking speeches within a tight 45-minute preparation window after receiving their topics. Their performances also showcased their creativity and ability to connect with the audience. The judges commended Lucia and Bushra for their poise under pressure, their innovative ideas, and the passion with which they spoke.
While Loreto Beaufort ultimately took home the trophy in both categories, the spirit of friendly competition remains strong. Loreto Balbriggan is already looking forward to next year’s event, eager for the opportunity to reclaim the title. Congratulations to Lucia and Bushra for their fantastic efforts and for representing our school with such distinction.
