Friday 22^nd September, we were delighted to welcome Education Director, Paula Stronge, from Saphara into the Post 16 assembly to present the Be the Change Awards to members of last year’s Be the Change team. Anna Little, Joshua Milliken and Thomas Latta received their award after their yearlong commitment to the programme.

Saphara are a Northern Ireland based charity with a passion for the power of education to change the world. They work in partnership with schools in India, alongside newcomer children here in Northern Ireland to provide education to some of the most marginalised children. Last year our Parkhall Integrated College team raised an exceptional amount of money which has allowed Saphara to provide education for over twenty children in their partner schools in India. Now, we are ready to do it all over again.

Paula also launched the Award to our current Year 13s who will have the opportunity to become part of this worthwhile project. The award is set to inspire and equip our students to be local and global citizens, bringing students from different communities and backgrounds together to empower them to ‘Be the Change’ they want to see in the world. Students involved will explore local and global issues of poverty, social justice and equality; fundraise to provide access to life-changing education for children living in some of the poorest and most marginalized areas of India; and engage with newcomer children from across the world now living here in Northern Ireland.

Applications will be open until October the 2^nd, with the access to the application form via the Post 16 Google Classroom.