Integrated College Dungannon recently held a special afternoon of celebration to mark the successful implementation and practice of restorative justice techniques at the college.

Mrs Claire Venon, Vice Principal explained, “Three years ago the college invited Australian veteran police officer and restorative justice pioneer, Mr Terence O’Connell to the college to train students, staff, parents, governors and professionals from the wider community in Restorative Justice Practices. Today, we have gathered to celebrate the successful implementation of those practices in our college and to acknowledge the strong and lasting relationships that have developed as a result.”

Many dignitaries attended the event including Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Councillor, Mr Mulligan. Other attendees included representatives from Educational Welfare Service, New Life Counsellors, Southern Health & Social Care Trust, Second Level School Principals and members of the Behaviour Support Team.

Following a welcome to the event by Mrs Venon, members of the Dissemination of Good Practice (DGP) Team at the college spoke to those present explaining the reasons behind the implementation of restorative practices and the success which is evident in the college as a result.

A bible reading from David Maye, Deputy Head Boy followed with Christina Nicholl, Deputy Head Girl and Zoe Templeton, Head Girl leading the prayers.

Prizes were then distributed to students from various year groups who had participated in a creative writing competition about their personal experiences of Restorative Justice in the college.

Integrated College Dungannon Principal, Mr Andrew Sleeth then addressed everyone present. “I would like to thank students, parents, staff and Governors for buying into this vision. I would like to thank our Dissemination of Good Practice team for their hard work to ensure Restorative Justice is embedded in our ethos. My particular thanks to our Vice Principal, Mrs Venon who has trained and mentored our Student Restorative Team; has trained two sister schools in Restorative Practices; has shared our Restorative experiences at a Children’s Services Planning meeting and at a College of Further Education and who has received an invitation to speak to the Department of Education. Mrs Venon has also received a request for her to showcase our practice at the next NICIE Conference which involves Principals and staff from the sixty integrated schools across Northern Ireland. Using Restorative Justice Practice we are able to maintain positive relationships and it is encouraging to see more and more schools wishing to adopt these techniques.”

A musical interlude followed the Principal’s address with refreshments served to everyone present, before Mrs Ann Tate, Chair of the Board of Governors, gave the closing remarks.

To conclude the event the Mrs Tate, special guests, Restorative Justice Team, DGP team and the Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council participated in a tree planting ceremony to mark the occasion.

Integrated College Dungannon was the first second level college in Northern Ireland to introduce Restorative Justice Practices to resolve conflict and build and maintain lasting relationships.