Council's '˜primary' engagement aim hits a high note with pupils

Larne Pupils having fun at the Mid & East Antrim Good Relations Schools Engagement event for P7s in Larne Town Hall.

Mid and East Antrim Council has been carrying out a series of ‘Schools’ Engagement’ events for Primary Seven pupils since January, initially in Ballymena, most recently hosting the final sessions in both Larne and Carrickfergus.

Mayor, Audrey Wales said: “While this particular Good Relations initiative aims to give these young people a better understanding of Council, as well as an introduction to Good Relations as they prepare to move to secondary education – that doesn’t stop it from being great fun.

“The aim is for young participants to feel confident and better equipped to engage in Good Relations activities after each event.

“The young people had an opportunity to not only enjoy the music on stage, but also to take part in a fun and interactive workshop with the group, Beyond Skin, a creative team of professional artists who promote diversity,” Cllr Wales said.

As well as ‘Beyond Skin’, the ‘Orchestreds Refugies et amis’ also took to the stage with music representing refugees while the youngsters kept up the beat with accompanying drums and tambourines.

“It is wonderful that so many schools and around 1,000 of our Primary Seven pupils took part in this exciting new initiative.

“It has great fun watching our young people be so enthusiastic as they engage with the workshop sessions and of course the intercultural music workshops!, said Mayor Wales.

She added: “Mid and East Antrim Borough Council wants everyone who lives, work, plays - or goes to school - in this borough to feel welcome, safe, respected and celebrated,” she said, adding that these events are designed to enhance those aims.

“Projects like this Schools Engagement Programme are significant and important to Council as we continue to Work Together to Create a Better Future for All,” the Mayor concluded.

The engagement events have been supported by the Arts Council NI, and The Executive Office through Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Good Relations Programme.

Anyone who would like information about Good Relations projects in the Mid and East Antrim Borough can contact their local Good Relations Officer, (Ballymena Office) [email protected] on 2563 3141 or (Carrickfergus) [email protected] on 028 9335 8312