MIC Thurles Summer School: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the OCO

The Mary Immaculate College, Thurles Summer School returns from 11-13 June this year and will celebrate 20 years of the OCO.

This year’s theme is how children’s voices have changed the landscape of education and participation over the past two decades.

Tickets are free, but spaces are limited so book now!

Day One: Tuesday 11 June

Theme: Student Voices Now and Then

2pm: Welcome by Finn Ó’Murchú on behalf of MIC

2.15pm – 2.45pm: Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon.
Discussion on 20 years of the OCO, how education has changed, what lies ahead with a focus on student voice.

2.45pm – 3.15pm: Adam Harris, Founder & CEO, As I Am
Keynote address on student voice in the education system with specific focus on voices from the edge/students who have not always been heard.

3.15pm – 3.30pm: Coffee break

3.30pm – 4pm: Bernie McNally, Secretary General, Department of Education
Keynote Speech – Policy Focus. The importance of the voice if the child within education varies widely. What lies ahead?

4pm – 5pm: Panel Discussion with;

• Dr Niall Muldoon
• Adam Harris
• Bernie McNally
• Áine Lynch

Day Two: Wednesday 12 June

Theme: Best Practice and Critical Thinking on Student Voice

Morning Session: 10am – 12.30pm

10am – 10.45am: Professor Laura Lundy TBC online or in person
Participation in education system. Including the student voice. Learnings, best practice and recommended actions from attendees.

10.30 – 11.15am: Professor Philip Jaffe, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
Student Voice best practice. International examples. How Ireland is doing. Changes we could make.

11.15 – 11.30am: Tea/Coffee

11.30am – 12pm: Local Schools and OCO Youth Advisory Panel
Presentation from local school and OCO YAP on student voice and how student voice could be better integrated into the education system.

12pm – 12.30pm: Questions from Professor Lundy and Professor Jaffe to young people, followed by (if extra time) Q&A /moderated discussion with Professor Lundy and Professor Jaffe.

12.30pm – 1.30pm: Lunch

Afternoon Session: Workshops 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Attendees will be invited to attend two of the following:

1.30pm – 2.15pm: Group 1
Contemporary Issues in Education/ Critical Education Policy delivered by Dr Craig Skerritt
Or
Team teaching – MIC Researchers

2.15pm – 3pm: Group 2
European Network of Ombudsman for Children, Participation (OCO Participation and Rights Education team attending/supporting) by Suzanne Garcia Imbernon
Or
NCSE Workshop

3pm – 3.15pm: Tea/Coffee

Evening Session: 3.15pm – 4.45pm

3.15pm – 3.45pm: Dr Craig Skerritt, Contemporary Issues in Education/ Critical Education Policy

3.45pm – 4.45pm: Moderated Discussion with NCCA/ NCSE/ Craig Skerritt/ Suzanne Garcia Imbernon

Evening Session: 3.15pm – 4.45pm

3.15pm – 3.45pm: Dr Craig Skerritt, Contemporary Issues in Education/ Critical Education Policy

3.45pm – 4.45pm: Moderated Discussion with NCCA/ NCSE/ Craig Skerritt/ Suzanne Garcia Imbernon

Day Three: Thursday 13 June

Theme: Voices from the Edge

9.30 – 10am: Fiacre Ryan, Writer, Poet and non-speaking Student
Featured in RTÉ documentary Speechless Reflections from My Voiceless World

10am – 11am: Panel Discussion – Learnings from the Community;
Brenda O’Donnell, Active Disability; Hannagh McGinley, Traveller Voice; Geraldine McTavish, GAA; Ahmed Hassan, Doras; Koulla Yiasouma Oberstown.

11am – 11.15am: Tea/Coffee

11.15am – 12.15pm: Panel Discussion – School Leadership; Panel to be confirmed.

12.15pm – 1pm: Student Teacher Discussion

(*Programme information is subject to change.)

• 30 Aibreán 2024