Seven Schools
The Seven Schools Project is a community project involving seven schools on the North Coast.
- Coleraine Academical Institution
- Coleraine High School
- North Coast Integrated College
- Loreto College
- Dominican College
- St Joseph’s High School
- Coleraine College
The project’s main aims are to give local teenagers from different backgrounds the opportunity to get to know each other and to promote tolerance and understanding in the community.
Fourteen pupils are selected from Year 11 in each of the schools to take part in The Seven Schools’ Project. The group meets together five times throughout the academic year to undertake various educational activities which promote the aims of the project.
Previous Years' activities
The Seven Schools’ Project started in 1988 and has been involved in many different activities over the years. These include a trip to the Pantomime in Belfast, a visit to Belfast Zoo, a day spent at Woodhall Residential Centre in Kilrea, environmental work, for example clearing litter from local beaches, quizzes and many other educational and interesting endeavours.
The Seven Schools Project 2007 – 2008
This year’s project has been very successful so far with pupils enjoying a trip to The Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, a tour of Coleraine Police Station, a visit to Coleraine Courthouse, a salsa dancing workshop in St Patrick’s Parish Centre, a session of team building exercises involving drama also at St Patrick’s Parish Centre. A Drugs Awareness talk was another educational session included this year. Yet to come on this year’s Project are a visit to Parliament Buildings at Stormont and a final day of activities for the group in Coleraine.
Seven Schools 2005 - 2006
This year’s programme of activities has been packed. As always, the activities undertaken are both educational and fun, and the boys have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with pupils from the six other schools (especially with those of the female variety!)
Day 1: 24 October
The programme began with a day divided into three sessions, which the pupils rotated around. The first session involved a guided tour of the police station, during which the boys enjoyed a short stay in the prison cells! Session two was a bit more physically demanding, and the pupils enjoyed putting on their dancing shoes (yes, the boys danced! In an interpretive fashion I might add!)! The third and final part of the day took the form of a drumming workshop.
Days 2 & 3: 29 November & 11 January
The entire group of almost 100 pupils was divided into two. Half the pupils spent day two at Stormont, where they had a guided tour of the buildings, an informative talk on the Northern Ireland situation and the role of the ministers at Stormont, and the chance to be involved in some interactive activities.
The other half of the group went to St. Patrick’s church hall where they participated in a number of activities organised by Kilcranny house, including a workshop on environmental protection.
On day three, the two groups swapped destinations and activities.
Day 4: 2 March
Day four was organised for us by Corrymeela, a cross-community organisation based in Ballycastle. The boys took part in a number of workshops, which encouraged them to consider issues such as prejudices and stereotypes. They also had an opportunity to design their ideal Northern Ireland.
Day 5: 31 March
Day five was definitely the most enjoyable of all! Kick-boxing, and – wait for it – salsa dancing (!) kept the pupils busy until lunch-time and, to my amazement, the boys threw themselves into the salsa-dancing with passion revealing a lot of hidden talent. The day ended up with a table quiz and prizes all round.
All those selected to participate in the Seven Schools Programme this year completed the five sessions and took part with enthusiasm. Certificates will be handed out to all involved before the end of term.