Loreto Secondary School | 9 February 2024

Mock Exams:

Today marks the end of the Mock exams. A detailed report will be compiled after the midterm and issued to all parents. We hope exam students can rest after this busy period and we commend them on their efforts in the examinations.

Diverse Voices – Inclusion Committee (report by Ms. M. Jordan):

An important job of the Inclusion Committee is to give everyone a voice. Sometimes we might unintentionally overlook the voices of those from a minority group and miss a valuable chance to learn more about our wonderfully diverse school community. In this new regular feature, we hope to share the interesting stories of students from diverse backgrounds.

As we prepare for Multicultural Week on the 26^th of February, we hear this week from 5^th Year student, Zinzile Mtetwa who will represent Zimbabwe.

Name: Zinzile Mtetwa

Age: 17

Year: 5.1

Country of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa

Parents Country of birth: Dad- Nigeria, Mum- Zimbabwe

Tell us about your homeplace:

I lived in Johannesburg until I was 4 years old. I remember living close to my aunts and uncles and then living with them when my mother was working. I lived in the city for the first part of my life, and I remember attending a daycare centre where there were children from many diverse cultural backgrounds. I learned to improve my English there. My aunt had taught me some words of English with flashcards. Ndebele was my mother’s first language and she spoke that to me in our home. I can understand Ndebele, but I wouldn’t be fluent in it.

Then, I moved out of the city to the outskirts of the city with my aunt. It was a bit of a shock to my system because the daycare and the community in general was less diverse and everything was very traditional. English was not spoken; Ndebele was the first language and some Zulu. I was there for six or seven months while my mother was in Ireland securing steady work and setting up a home for us.

My favourite memory:

When I was 4, I remember walking on the escalator in Dublin Airport with my aunt on my way to be reunited with my mother after 7 months apart, and I was so terrified of the escalator that my aunt had to carry me! Suddenly I saw my mum standing in the arrivals area beside a woman who had helped her set up her life in Ireland. This woman is now ‘Mummy Liz’ to me. She is my godmother, and her two children Jim and Maya are like my siblings. I ran to my mother saying, “I remember your face from the photos!” We laughed and cried as we hugged one another. It was such a wholesome moment- a mother and daughter reunited in a safe place where they could live their lives together.

My experience of Multicultural Week:

I like to take part in Multicultural Week because I like to see other people learning about my culture. I have represented Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe over the years, and it is great that I can represent where I am from and teach others about my culture.

Life in Zimbabwe:

My mother left Zimbabwe when she was around 18. Both her parents had died and as the second eldest, she felt a responsibility to look after her siblings. It was very hard to get work in Zimbabwe. The government of the country did not run it well and many people had to leave to find work. My mother is an independent woman, and she was determined to support her family. This is why she moved to South Africa and then eventually to Ireland.

What Zimbabwe is bringing to Multicultural Week this year:

This year I am delighted to be representing Zimbabwe with first year students Kirsty and Kristy. I remember for my first Multicultural Week; 5^th year student Eva Henwick took me under her wing and gave me the confidence to represent my culture as she was representing South Africa. It was a daunting but enjoyable experience so I hope that I can help Kirsty and Kristy in the same way that Eva helped me. We will have an information stand with some food samples and I am looking forward to walking the catwalk in my cultural clothes once again.

Life at the moment: While I am proud of all the countries I represent, if I were asked where I was from, I would answer ‘Ireland’. I’m very happy here, people are friendly, and I have never really felt out of place. Ireland is my home. I am so grateful to my mother for the life she has given me. I have watched everything she has struggled with to provide a safe place for me. She left the place she called home to give me a better life, but she still managed to instill a sense of pride in me about where I am from. She is truly my inspiration.

If you would like to feature in ‘Diverse Voices’ or if you would like to represent your culture during Multicultural Week, please contact michellejordan@loretowexford.com

German Exchange:

Our German exchange students have arrived home safely after a wonderful week of activities. We must commend the group for their positivity, impeccable behaviour, and willingness to embrace German culture and language. Thanks to Ms. Zimmermann and Ms. Nolan for accompanying the students.