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Killarney student elected ISSU International Officer

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ELECTED: Killarney student Kacper Bogalecki has been elected International Officer of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU).

By Michelle Crean 
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A local student has made such an impression representing the student voice in Kerry at national level that he has been elected International Officer of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU).

Kacper Bogalecki, a Fifth Year student in St Brendan’s College, was elected at the Annual Assembly and will take up his role officially in July.

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union is the national representative body for second-level student councils, with over 500 schools affiliated to the union nationally. Since the onset of COVID-19 and its impact on the education system, the ISSU has sat on an Advisory Group of the Department of Education & Skills, representing students and cooperating with other stakeholders on issues such as the Junior Cert, schools reopening and the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Leaving Cert.

“I ran for this position because I wanted to help the students of Ireland be represented at an international level," Kacper said.

"I believe that we, as a people, have so much to learn from those around us and there is a great number of things which we could incorporate from abroad for our students at home. I was also driven to run for this position due to my international background. I'm from Poland, and having been able to live in other European countries as well, I felt like this position was suited to me and my experience.”

PASSIONATE

Kacper is currently serving his term as Kerry Regional Officer of the Union, and says that he is passionate about community involvement. He volunteers with the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps and is an active member of his local No Name Club. Outside of his youth activism and volunteering, Kacper also likes to play tennis, debate and travel.

In what has been an extraordinary year for the education system, Kacper is ready to lead the union.

“My main aim is to propel the ISSU on an international front. I am looking forward to working with the likes of our European counterparts OBESSU, the Northern Ireland Union SSUNI and foreign departments of education. I also want to work with international students within Ireland, making sure that they are heard on matters of importance to them. Finally, as an NSE officer I hope to bring fairness to the 2022 State exams by making sure that the students at our grassroots have direct input into advising on the realisation of these exams.”

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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