Press Release
May 2010-05-11

Written by: Molly Hennigan [Fifth year student at St Wolstans Community School.]

‘The Optimism of Youth’

Between the covers of this book you will find stories, reflections, facts, photographs and art work on the theme of Primary education for all, submitted in a spirit of optimism and compiled by TY and fifth year students at St. Wolstan’s Community school, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.

‘The Optimism of youth’ is the second book in a series of eight that are reflecting on the Millennium Development schools established in 2000 by our world leaders.

‘The Optimism of Youth’ is focusing on the second Millennium goal which is achieving ‘Primary Education for all’.

We can appreciate statistics like ‘over one hundred million children do not receive a primary education’. But do we really engage with it? Do we comprehend the enormity of the struggle for children who want to go to school but cannot? Do we honestly realise how many children are being deprived of a basic education? And as educated people are we willing to act?

For anyone who has experienced some level of education, this book will surely revive many memories and a realisation of the benefits we gain from our time in school. A wide range of experiences are shared with startling openness and trust from many people. This diversity and wealth of experience provides a unique insight into the world of primary education in our home country and abroad.
In the ‘Optimism Of Youth’ you will encounter a montage of images, impressions and reflections on the experience of primary education. There are nostalgic and visually compelling photographs and lovely artwork to view, sourced by the students and teachers. Lengthy interviews, a blog site, phone calls emails across the world, editorial meetings after school were all undertaken to compile the submissions you read. You will perceive the length, height, breadth and depth of Ireland’s educational journey, resonating with the evolving story of education in developing countries. Realism, vibrancy and personal anecdotes are provided by primary school children side by side with parents, grandparents and public figures from the world of education, entertainment, literature, photography, and Politics

We are optimistic, that the awareness created by this book, will be significant in achieving primary education for all children in our world by 2015.

The compilation of this book could not have happened without the editorial team made up of TY and fifth year students and their teachers Mrs. Noeleen Leahy, and Mrs. Annette Kavanagh Bracken who worked tirelessly on the text for nine months. Co- ordinator of development education with Self Help Africa Mr. Patsy Tolund, mentored the editorial committee and together with graphic designer Mr. Alan Davis supported the Wolstans students in publishing the book.

The Editorial Team
St. Wolstan’s Community School, Celbridge Co. Kildare.

Louise Bailey-Smith
Ali Bell
Aoife Burbridge
Rebecca Burke
Kristin Campbell
Aifric Carroll
Grainne Clarke
Louise Corcoran
Caroline Corr
Caolfhionn Cullen
Sinéad Cummins
Paula Cunniffe
Laura Doyle
Pamela Drumgoole
Louise Geagan Murray
Gabrielle Guisite
Roisín Hayden
Molly Hennigan
Janet Jones
Karen Joyce
Sarah Kelligher
Caroline Kelly
Meg Kelly
Gillian Kennan
Sinéad Keogh
Aisling Lee
Eileen Maher
Leigha Mawer
Eimear Mc Carthy
Susan Mc Cormack
Sarah Mc Evoy
Grace Mc Intyre
Emma Murphy
Aoife O’ Brien
Emer O’ Brien
Kellie Marie O’ Callaghan
Caroline O’ Callaghan
Sophie O’ Carroll
Sophie O’ Donaghue
Anna O’ Donnell Nugent
Ellie O’ Halloran
Alex O’ Neill
Katie Ryan
Ellen Staunton
Niamh Tallon
Sarah Vance
Hannah Walsh