Student Council
Your Voice. Our School
Embedded Files
Darragh Smiddy
Darragh Smiddy
Events Manager
I’m Darragh, an 18-year-old sixth-year student hoping to study Home Economics and Biology at St Angela’s College, Sligo next year, with the aim of becoming a teacher. Home Economics has always been my favourite subject, and in my spare time I enjoy horse riding, baking and playing video games.
This is my fourth and final year as a student council representative, a role I’m very proud of. It has taught me the importance of clear communication and given me the confidence to speak in front of others, skills that will serve me well as a teacher.
As I finish secondary school, I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities ahead.
Nicole Mietka
Nicole Mietka
Chairperson
Nuria Cardoso
Nuria Cardoso
Secretary
At St Colman’s Community College, we believe students should have a meaningful voice in school life. Our Student Council gives students a chance to share ideas, raise issues, and work with staff and school management to improve our school community.
What does the Student Council do?
The Student Council represents students’ views and brings their perspectives into discussions about school life. It links students and school management, encouraging open communication, constructive feedback, and shared responsibility.
The council’s work focuses on:
Student voice: bringing forward students’ ideas, suggestions and concerns.
Inclusion and belonging: helping to create a school where everyone feels welcome, respected and valued.
School life: contributing ideas for activities, initiatives and improvements.
Wellbeing: promoting a positive, supportive school environment.
Sustainability: encouraging students to take an active role in caring for our school and the wider environment.
Listening, representing and taking action.
Being a Student Council representative means listening to others, representing a range of views and working as part of a team. It is an opportunity to develop leadership, communication and organisational skills while making a positive contribution to the school.
The council aims to turn student feedback into practical proposals and to keep students informed about its work. While every suggestion may not lead to a change, every student’s perspective deserves to be heard and considered.
Have an idea?
You do not have to be a council member to contribute. If you have a suggestion to improve school life, speak to a Student Council representative.
Whether it is a small improvement or a new initiative, your idea could help make a difference.
Together, we can help shape a school community we are proud to be part of.
Student Voice in Action - Calling for safer roads by our schools
Student Voice in Action - Calling for safer roads by our schools
Concerns about traffic speeds on the Youghal Road prompted the Student Council and Green-Schools Committee to call for safer conditions outside St Colman’s Community College and neighbouring Scoil Bhríde National School.
With over 1,200 students attending St Colman’s, alongside the children attending Scoil Bhríde, this stretch of road sees large numbers of young people walking, cycling and arriving by car each day.
Bringing Our Concerns Forward
Bringing Our Concerns Forward
On 23 March 2026, we wrote to Dave Clarke, Senior Executive Engineer with Cork County Council’s Road Operations office in Midleton. We copied the letter to East Cork municipal councillors and the four Cork East TDs.
Our message was clear: preventative action should be taken before a serious collision occurs. We requested:
A review of the 50 km/h speed limit outside both schools.
A lower speed limit appropriate to the school setting.
An assessment of additional safety measures, including improved signage, flashing school-zone lights, pedestrian crossings and traffic calming.
Engagement With Public Representatives
Engagement With Public Representatives
Cllr Patrick Mulcahy replied on 26 March, offering his assistance and indicating that he would raise our concerns with council officials.
Cllr Eamonn Horgan replied on 27 March, supporting the concerns raised and committing to liaise with the Roads Engineer and fellow councillors. He also outlined his previous advocacy for safer school entrances and 30 km/h speed limits around schools.
Cllr Rory Cocking replied on 1 April, explaining the wider speed-limit review process and identifying 31 March 2027 as the implementation deadline for urban speed-limit changes. He also outlined a pedestrian-safety motion he had submitted before receiving our letter and committed to seeking updates from council officials.
Liam Quaide TD replied on 14 April, commending the students’ constructive approach and recognising the importance of acting on near-misses before a serious collision occurs. He supported consideration of reduced speeds, traffic calming and safer crossing points. He stated that he was liaising with council officials and would work with Cllr Horgan towards resolving the issue. He also invited the Student Council to visit Leinster House.
A Further Update
A Further Update
On 20 May, Cllr Cocking shared a council response confirming that the Youghal Road would be reviewed under the Urban Speed Limit Review. The response also recorded that Cllr Mulcahy had raised the busy conditions outside St Colman’s and asked whether these could be reviewed under the Safe Routes to School Programme.
Cllr Cocking and Cllr Horgan have each responded twice.
Where Things Stand
Where Things Stand
As of 9 October 2026, we have received replies from four of the public representatives contacted. We appreciate their engagement and remain awaiting responses from the other recipients.
The correspondence received so far does not confirm a final decision on a lower speed limit outside our school or a timetable for additional traffic-calming measures.
This initiative shows us taking an active role in their community: identifying a concern, proposing practical solutions and engaging directly with officials and elected representatives.
Our goal remains safer journeys to and from school for everyone.
Report abuse