Darragh and Erin are inspirational students

Pupils from two Derry post-primary schools have successfully participated in the year-long SistersIN Leadership Programme, which culminated in a student-led celebration event in ICC Belfast (formerly Belfast Waterfront).

SistersIN originated in Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch in 2018, the brainchild of its Principal Peter Dobbin.

In 2019, the pilot programme proved so successful it inspired the foundation of the SistersNI charity to help broaden the impact and reach of the programme to more schools and pupils. 

SistersIN currently has 10 partnering schools throughout the North, with 180 pupils in sixth form taking part.

The Thornhill College pupils who participated in SistersIN 2023, with Thornhill College alumna, Tessa Breslin, the former Managing Director and Head of YSC Americas.

Its aim is to “enable, empower and develop female pupils in education to become the leaders of tomorrow; to help them discover their full potential and open new possibilities for their professional journeys by building leadership capability and confidence”.

Darragh McCleary from St Cecilia’s College and Erin Irvine from Thornhill College spoke to Derry Now about their involvement in the innovative programme. It was immediately obvious the two young women had really enjoyed the experience.

Darragh, who is currently studying A’ Level history, technology and mathematics, said she was delighted to have been given the opportunity to take part in SistersNI.

“I want to go to university to study engineering next year,” said Darragh, “and I felt the SistersIN programme would be a good way to build my confidence and help me to achieve my goals. It would also be something meaningful for me to include in my personal statement.

“All together 10 St Cecilia’s students took part in SistersNI this year. As part of the programme we had to bring forward a project, however, we actually developed three projects. Initially we met on a weekly basis but as the March 24 celebration event approached we were meeting every day.

SistersIN 2023 lead students from all of the schools who participated in the programme.

“Our first project took place in December. We wanted to do something for the Foyle Foodbank. We thought that would be a good idea, given the current cost of living crisis and the high percentage of pupils within our school who receive free school meals. We also thought it would be a nice way to give something back to our local community.

“So, we brought food boxes into school and asked everyone to bring in food items. At Christmas, we donated everything we had collected to the Foyle Foodbank,” said Darragh.

St Cecilia’s second SistersIN project was called ‘Dress for Success’ and was a collaboration with Foyle Women’s Aid.
Darragh explained that ‘Dress for Success’ was a global empowerment resource, which supports and empowers women in the workplace.

She said: “It provides interview wear and style consultations for women who are facing economic hardship. We held a clothing drive in school. We invited pupils and members of staff to donate blazers and items of clothing which could be worn at interviews. They were left in the clothing boxes which we placed in the school foyer.

“Our final project was ‘Healing Hearts’ which we ran in conjunction with Foyle Hospice. This was our SistersIN legacy project.

“‘Healing Hearts’ involved Foyle Hospice staff providing specialised bereavement training which will enable SistersNI pupils and staff to interact positively with any children who have experienced bereavement coming into the school.”
Darragh’s role in the SistersIN celebration event was as Technical Liaison.

“There was a bit of pressure,” she admitted, “but it was good pressure. I had to look after the lighting and mics, as well as carrying out interviews.

“Now that it is all over, I would encourage other girls to get involved in the SistersIN programme. It teaches leadership skills, time management, communication skills, organisation, office administration and project leadership,” enthused Darragh.

Each SistersIN pupil also had the opportunity to gain work experience, explore real life career options and connect with inspiring female leaders through the assignment of a mentor. 

The mentors are female leaders with at least five years’ experience and come from all different kinds of businesses, professions or walks of life to provide a broad range of perspectives and diversity to the mentees.

Erin Irvine was one of 17 Thornhill students who were accepted onto the SistersIN programme this year. Like Darragh, she was one of the lead pupils who organised the SistersIN celebratory event in ICC Belfast.

“In Thornhill we decided on an ecological route to enhance our school curriculum and learning.
“We are building an outdoor classroom into which lessons will be incorporated. The classroom will be completed by the end of this month.

“We have organised every aspect of the project, from fundraising, to getting the company in to build it, to contacting all our Heads of Department and liaising with them to see how they could best use the new space,” said Erin.

According to Erin, each school involved in the SistersIN programme put on a masterclass, where different people came in and taught the girls leadership skills and spoke about their own life and work experiences.

Erin received mentoring from Almac Diagnostic Services, a pharmaceutical company based in Craigavon, as she is interested in pursuing a career in biomedicine or biochemistry.

Smiling, she said: “As a result of the SistersIN programme, I have made so many contacts and improved my skills. I am much more confident going out into the world because now I have some insight into what to expect.”

In March, as part of the SistersIN programme, Thornhill College alumna, Tessa Breslin led what was described as a “truly inspirational” Masterclass on Leadership in the school.

Tessa is the former Managing Director and Head of YSC Americas, a global leadership strategy firm that co-creates unique, pragmatic solutions to specific leadership challenges and drives the leadership, interactions and culture that help clients achieve their commercial and/or organisational strategies. 

A chartered psychologist, her expertise includes individual assessment, talent development, coaching and team facilitation, and she has worked with clients across a wide range of industry sectors, including marketing and advertising, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

The SistersIN participants were “motivated by her practical, insightful, thought-provoking session and left feeling braver”.