College awareness Week (CAW) is off to a great start!

The CAW message is one that we want to permeate communities. The idea that college is for all, is one that students and learners of all ages should be hearing from different people. For that reason, the CAW campaign is rooted in communities.

To recognise this, four native Irish trees will be planted in schools across the four provinces of Ireland. In the words of CAW founder, Kathleen O’Toole-Brennan, “it is hoped that the trees will symbolise the seeds planted by the campaign, the growth of learners, and the fact that we are all rooted in our communities.”

To launch the campaign, both An Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D., and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris T.D. attended tree planting ceremonies. The Taoiseach visited Terence MacSwiney Community College in his native Cork while Minster Harris took part in a ceremony at Tallaght Community School in Dublin.

At the event, Micheál Martin TD, said: “if we are to thrive as a society, we must make sure that no student is left behind. Important initiatives such as College Awareness Week help students of all backgrounds to investigate and understand the post-leaving certificate opportunities available to them”.

Later in the week, tree planting ceremonies will also take place in Carndonagh Community School, Donegal and Archbishop McHale College in Galway.