On Monday, 20th April, we were delighted to host a visit from the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD. Minister Byrne met with Senior Cycle Politics & Society and Economics students, as well as Junior Cycle CSPE classes, to discuss Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the European Union, which will commence in July 2026. During his visit, he emphasised the importance of Ireland’s membership of the European Union and highlighted the wide range of opportunities available to students, particularly those studying languages, across Europe.

Students were highly engaged throughout the discussion, asking thoughtful questions and gaining valuable insight into Ireland’s role on the European stage. We would like to sincerely thank Minister Byrne for taking the time to visit our school, as well as his colleague Grace Boland TD for attending and engaging so openly with our students.

This visit reflects the strong interest and active participation of our students in civic and political life. Recently, three of our 6th Year Politics & Society students, Carragh Doyle, Toni Noble and Caoimhe O’Brien, had the opportunity to present their Leaving Certificate projects on the voting habits of young people to an expert panel at Leinster House. The students shared their research with the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Art O’Leary, as well as TDs and Senators, including representatives from the Fingal West constituency. Their presentation demonstrated a high level of research, insight and confidence, and provided them with a unique opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers on how to improve access to voting and political education for young people. Experiences such as these highlight the importance of student voice and the valuable role young people, particularly young women, can play in shaping the future of our democracy.

Fifth Year JPIC Prefects and Transition Year students recently attended a Zoom meeting with Loreto JPIC groups from across the country. The theme of the gathering, “Thinking Justly, Acting Justly,” encouraged students to reflect on how awareness can lead to meaningful action. As part of the event, each JPIC group presented a project focused on a social or global justice issue.

Our TY students represented the school with their project, Understanding Homelessness. Over the course of a month, Class 4B led a campaign to deepen their understanding of, and support for, rough sleepers in Dublin’s inner city. Their initiative included assembling care packages, reaching out to charities working in the Abbey Street and Talbot Street areas, and sharing their insights through peer education with students across all year groups. Through this work, they highlighted the importance of recognising and affirming the dignity of those who are most marginalised in society.

We would like to congratulate and acknowledge the fantastic work carried out by the students, whose efforts truly reflected the spirit of “Thinking Justly, Acting Justly.” The students greatly enjoyed learning about the projects undertaken by other Loreto schools and valued the opportunity to connect with the wider JPIC network.

All Ireland Scholarship

A very special occasion was recently held at the University of Limerick Concert Hall, where former Loreto Balbriggan student, Huriyah Baqer (Class of 2025), was awarded an All-Ireland Scholarship by JP McManus in recognition of her outstanding Leaving Certificate results. In total, 126 students from across Ireland received scholarships, with every county represented. A fantastic achievement that reflects Huriyah’s hard work, dedication, and determination.