The Energy for Children Charitable Trust – set up two years ago by the local natural gas industry – has announced that it has provided work place administration facilities for the pupils at St Louise’s College on the Falls Road. Year 12 students are now
The Energy for Children Charitable Trust – set up two years ago by the local natural gas industry – has announced that it has provided work place administration facilities for the pupils at St Louise’s College on the Falls Road. Year 12 students are now able to take an important step to aid their studies by using practical equipment.
The funding has enabled the school to put together a mock office environment, and as part of the learning process the students are now taught to carry out ‘real life’ administrative duties like those they may face when entering the world of work. It is often the case that school leavers are ill equipped in terms of dealing with office life, but the pupils at St Louise’s are now taught a range of skills from using fax machines and photocopiers to even appropriate ways to deal with office phone calls.
Sharon Hearty of the Energy for Children Charitable Trust recently paid a visit to St Louise’s College and was delighted to learn that the ‘learning by doing’ approach had contributed to the pupils receiving excellent grades and that the practical process had even been commended by an external moderator. Mrs Hearty said:
“Helping make a difference for the young people in our community, where there is very limited opportunity for them to receive immediate funding from other means, is a key focus of this Charity. Creating this practical environment at St Louise’s was just the support they needed.”
Mrs Hearty continued: “I would just like to say well done to the teachers and pupils for the success the course has had to date and good luck to all those pupils who will benefit from the facilities into the future.”
Michele Corkey, Vice-Principal of St Louise’s College, believes that the funding has given the girls an added advantage and she reflected:
“It has not only helped improve their practical skills, but also the interpersonal skills and communication skills that are so necessary for all young people as they seek employment”.
The Energy for Children Charitable Trust, founded and administrated by Phoenix Natural Gas, awards all money collected through fundraising directly to the local children and young people who need it most.
Pictured: Michele Corkey (Vice-Principal at St Louise’s College) and Sharon Hearty (Energy for Children Charitable Trust and Phoenix Natural Gas) are joined by St Louise’s pupils L-R Jane Irvine, Rebecca McGaharan and Stacey Neill.