Crana College student impresses at the Annual National Parents Council Post Primary Conference

A successful weekend was had by Crana College when Darragh Harkin, a Transition Year student in the school travelled to the Annual National Parents Council Post Primary Conference (NPCpp) “Parents Voice in Education” in Killarney to discuss the topic of Transition Year. The event was opened by Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan who acknowledged the importance of parents’ role in education. Accompanied by his family, Michelle Bradley (TY Coordinator) and Clare Bradley (Teacher), Darragh took to the stage to dispel the myth of TY being a ‘doss’ year in front of an audience of parents from all over Ireland.

Darragh, chosen to represent transition year student views’ by Transition Year Ireland, addressed a number of questions posed by Edwin Landzaad in relation to the benefits of TY with particular attention being paid to the importance of parents in the overall programme.

The Crana College student spoke eloquently of his experience in Transition Year so far and provided some recommendations for those considering the programme next year. Darragh referred to the variety of the programme offered to students in the school and the importance of the year as a time to mature and develop. His participation warranted praise from many who were in attendance at the annual conference and it resulted in TY Ireland seeking to establish links and networking opportunities between Crana College and other schools around the country.

Geoffrey Browne Parents’ Representative on the Donegal ETB, who was in attendance at the NPCpp commented “It was a proud day for me as a Donegal ETB Board Member to be in attendance in Killarney to witness Donegal student Darragh Harkin perform and speak in such an eloquent manner, well done Darragh and your TY teachers”.