Page 86 - Bellfort Issue 3 2014

Environment & Society: History Department Local councillors meet fu- ture elected representa- tives In March 2014, a group of budding historians and school council representa- tives took part in a confer- ence organised by our local elected representatives. This gave our young people the opportunity to see how democracy works in prac- tice. We had the opportu- The Bellfort parlour an area of the Braid Mrs R Wilson and Y11 stu- its to places such as the nity to visit the council chamber and the mayor’s Titanic Museum, Carrickfer- dents who took part in the centre not accessible to the local government confer- general public. The high- gus Castle and the Somme Centre. Our last activity ence at the Braid Centre light of the day was a ses- was a residential to Corry- sion organised by a group meela where Dunclug stu- of councillors in which our students were able to question them on their role Dunclug College History rick’s students in a series of as an elected representa- Department says farewell dents worked with St. Pat- workshops on the Causes tive, their policies and gain to PIRCH and consequences of the some advice on how to be- Partition of Ireland. These come a councillor. The very successful PIRCH were interactive session programme ended in Octo- where students could delve As a department we really ber 2013. This programme deeper and discuss their enjoyed this conference allowed us the opportunity opinions in a neutral set- and we are looking forward to enrich our curriculum ting. to the next stage . through a range of site vis- In June we will have the chance to take part in a mock council meeting alongside pupils from the other post primary schools in Ballymena. 86