TWO students at St. Mary’s High School, Brollagh have spoken out about the decision to close the school by the Education Minister, and have pleaded with him to think again.

The decision to close the school and to refuse an application to transform it into an integrated school was taken by Minister Peter Weir at the beginning of March.

It now means that when the school closes its doors, the students will have to transfer to schools most likely more than 20 miles away in Enniskillen.

Odhrán Murray, a Year 11 student, describes feelings of “anxiety, fear and confusion” over the decision.

“I’m worried because Brollagh for me was a wee school, which is good, because I have got anxiety and being in big crowds could give me an anxiety attack or cause me to panic,” explained the 15-year-old.

He said the small community feeling suited his learning needs and has admitted he has not started looking at the alternative options once the school closes.

“Moving to Enniskillen, I’m not looking forward to it. I’m just hoping that there is something that can save the school. I haven’t looked into anything yet, because I am just trying to keep my hopes up.”

William Heron, a third-year Brollagh student, was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes 12 months ago, and he fears that if he takes a turn at school in Enniskillen, or even on the bus, who will be there to help him?

Another stress

He says that on top of the pressure of the school being shut due to Covid-19 restrictions, this is another stress being placed on the students.

“I don’t think it’s fair, closing the school. It’s bad enough being stuck at home away from school.

“All this change has affected my mental health, and having to go to school in Enniskillen every day is going to be so hard.

“If I took a hypo [diabetes injection] on the bus, would the bus driver know what to do [if I needed someone to inject me]? But if that happens in Brollagh, my mum and dad are just five minutes away.”

William was direct in his thoughts on the Education Minister, adding: “Peter Weir doesn’t care about children’s mental and physical health when he’s putting all of us through this. He should be ashamed of himself.”

Odhrán has called on the Minister to take into consideration all the good the school has done for the students and the local community.

“I think, for us, it was just a great wee community school. It was so close, so small, so easy to access, with great education, great teachers, and some of the best GCSE results rates in Northern Ireland, and it is just an overall great place to be.”

His mother, Danielle, also explained that her family moved to the Belleek area 10 years ago from Belfast, with one of the reasons being to go to a smaller school.

“The reason why we moved down here is a better life for the kids,” Danielle said. “All my family have moved down here, and for the smaller school.

“Odhrán has autism and has a classroom assistant. That school has been phenomenal, helping him.

“It has been unbelievable, the amount of help they have given me with him, and for him to be uprooted into Enniskillen ... It’s not going to happen; that’s my big worry.”

Both William and Odhrán are holding out hope that something can be done to save the school.

Odhrán had this to say to anybody out there that can help in the fight to keep the school open: “Just help us in any way you can.”