Junior Council role for College pupils

Tom Scott and Matthew Braden, both Year 12 pupils at the school, were elected as Junior Mayor and Junior Deputy Mayor respectively of the youth governing body.

The Junior Council was set up last year as part of a project by the local authority’s Good Relations Office.

Involving 12 students from the borough’s four post-primary schools, the group aims to represent the views of young people by feeding into Carrickfergus Borough Council’s decision-making process.

Janet Shearer from Carrick Council’s Good Relations Office explained: “Tom and Matthew were democratically elected as Junior Mayor and junior Deputy; they will represent the Junior Council at different points throughout the year.”

During the election process last year, each student had to present their case to teachers and council representatives.

Since their selection, the young members of the group have underwent training with the Northern Ireland Youth Forum.

This has taught them a number of skills from how to run a council and how to speak in public to lobbying.

Congratulating the College pupils was principal of the school, Hedley Webb. “We are extremely proud that two of our pupils managed to secure these prestigious roles for themselves,” he said.

“ The school acknowledges the hard work both boys have put into their involvement in the council and feel these roles are well-deserved.”