JPIC Group
JPIC stands for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. The JPIC group is made up of 5th and 6th year students interested in researching issues relating to these concepts in our world today. The aim of the group is to raise awareness of these topics among students, staff and the wider community.
A special aspect of this group is that it is run in connection with the Loreto Schools Network. At the start of each school year a seminar is held where group co-ordinators and student representatives from all the Loreto schools in Ireland come together. These seminars raise the social consciousness of the participants, empowering students and teachers in their role as agents of social change.
STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY
The JPIC group began the year 2009/2010 by
renewing awareness within the school of the Millenium Development Goals. A
poster was made and displayed on the notice board. On 'Stand Up Against
Poverty' day, an announcement was made to all classes highlighting the fact
that Governments promised to have the goals reached by 2015 and how they are
still very far from this promise. A petition was signed by over 200 people
within the school and this was send to a local Councillor. We did not get a
reply.
WORLD AIDS DAY
The JPIC group set up a table at
break time so students could print their hand in red paint and add it to the
poster to make up a red ribbon in support of World Aids Day. This was displayed
in the lobby. A professional banner was made saying, World Aids Day 'Stand Up
Speak Out', and this was put on the railings outside the school for all to see.
Members from the group went around all classes with two red balloons (each
class had two balloons representing them) and spoke with passion about Aids
awareness, both in Ireland
and abroad. They told the classes that these balloons (bio-degradable of
course!) would be released outside the school to get attention form the public
in order to highlight the issue at hand. TY students were shown a video on the
importance of Aids awareness by their RE teacher.
An announcement was made that these balloons were going to be released by the JPIC members so eager faces looked out the front windows as the girls released the balloons while shouting 'Stand Up, Speak Out against Aids'. This drew much attention from the public so we feel our goal was achieved.
ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND FAIRTRADE
Combining the theme of 'love' and 'fairtrade' for Valentines Day, the girls held a quiz for 2nd years with fairtrade goodies as a prize. The 2nd years were taught a lesson about the importance of fairtrade by their RE and SPHE teachers prior to the quiz.
A poster highlighting the importance of fairtrade was displayed on the JPIC noticeboard.
JPIC NOTICE BOARD
JPIC continues to keep its notice board up to date and eye catching by having displays, facts and figures on important events such as World Water Day, Fairtrade and Human Rights as well as pictures of the group from events during the year.
A very big thank you to all the current 6th years for their work and inspiration over the past two years - they will be sadly missed by the JPIC group. However we look forward to a busy and bright year next year.