A LETTERKENNY principal has been highly impressed by the ‘unbelievable resilience’ shown by Ukrainian students as they settle into Errigal College after fleeing their war-torn country.
Nineteen Ukrainian students who are living in McGettigan’s Hotel in Letterkenny started school at Errigal College recently.
The students and their parents visited the school for a welcome reception hosted by the Parents’ Association on Thursday last to allow students to be introduced to the staff, support staff and the school building before starting school.
The students are being provided with additional English classes and pastoral support while the school has also introduced a “buddy system” to help the Ukrainian students get from class to class, read timetables, and to be introduced to new subjects.
Principal’ Mr Danny McFadden said the students are settling in well at the school and have shown ‘unbelievable resilience’ after everything they have been through.
“These students are among some of the first to get out of Ukraine so we are putting a huge amount of time and effort into getting to know them. It is unbelievable the resilience these kids are showing after what they have been through and leaving their country. They are coming into school smiling.”
“They are enthusiastic about going into class, excited about new subjects and eager to learn. They are all at different stages and ages so we are working hard to ensure that all the support they need is in place,” said Mr McFadden.
Mr McFadden is concerned that they are living in temporary accommodation and he fears they may be relocated elsewhere in the country and be removed from the school.
“These students are in temporary accommodation and there is already a shortage of houses or a housing crisis in Letterkenny.
“They are set up in school so I would not like to think that they will be relocated.
“This is a concern and I would not like to see this happen,” said Mr McFadden.
Errigal College is home to 28 nationalities and the school is very proud of the diversity of each classroom.
The Ukrainian students have been using technology to help overcome any problems with the language barrier and Deputy Principal Deirdre Markham said the technology has been a great help to both students and staff.
“Some of the students are really good at English, but then there are others, like the younger ones who aren’t quite as good. We have sets of Chrome books for the students to use Google translate on and they can use the Ukrainian script on the Chrome books so that has been a big help.
“We didn’t want them to be reliant on their mobile phones so these machines have been a big help. They have been really positive and very eager to get back into education,” said Ms Markham.
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