Notes: Hazelwood Integrated School

Hazlewood Secondary
Monday, June 04, 2007

First Lecture by Principal

1984 - Groundwork lead
1985 - School opened
First class of 17, now about 800 total and some turned away
2 staff members left from this
2nd integrated secondary, still only 2
Middle class school

New schools w/o traditions, young teachers can build their own

Peace Assemble - Invite people from community to see children for community to sing together

1988 - Department of education

Comprehensive school - let in anyone, in 11+ exam system

Susan (ex pupil) Community link / Youth Worker
Cross community projects (Catholics and Protestants working together)
Andrea - Link for students who English is not first language
Support for Polish, Japanese, etc.
Things they do not understand
--Are there more minority students here than average?
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Second Lecture by Fionnuala O’Connor

Political Journalist, covered story since beginning
Book on integrated Education: A Shared Childhood, The Story of Integrated Schools in Northern Ireland
View in book: Not a solution, part of it, Can only help
1998 or 1999 - Last time here, Hazelwood in news for being brave. Students interviewed by radio reporter. Clashes happening near school. On interview told how riot after school w/ community and family, then are friendly w/ integrated school friends next day.

Prejudice - Darkest face the most hate. Most violence in Poor Protestant areas, where there are available houses.

500 interfaces in N Belfast, wall going up by primary school

Don't talk about differences

The roll of Media - Journalists too quiet for too long, best coverage came from outside. More recently NI journalists have been braver and giving better coverage on the truth in NI