Inspiring Assembly

This week we were delighted to host Miss Sophie Keane from Sacred Heart Grammar School Newry at our KS1 and KS2 assembly.

Sophie had come to raise awareness and educate our children and staff about Alopecia as September is Alopecia Awareness Month.

Sophie delivered a very professional and informative presentation; she discussed in an open and honest manner her own journey with Alopecia as well as educating all about Alopecia itself. The children listened attentively as Sophie spoke about the several types of Alopecia, ‘Alopecia Areata’ (when people have patchy hair loss) and Alopecia Totalis (when people lose all the hair from their head).

She discussed with the children that Alopecia does not mean that a person is ill, it affects only the hair. Sophie explained to the children that Scientists and doctors do not fully understand why people get Alopecia. It remains somewhat of a medical mystery.

Most inspiring to all in our school was when Sophie talked about people with Alopecia being as healthy as anyone else. Sophie showed a series of wonderful images demonstrating how having Alopecia does not stop her from doing anything! The children were captivated by Sophie’s wonderful presence and were inspired by her confidence in sharing a snapshot of the accomplishments that she has had in the last few years, from ski trips with school, playing for and representing County Down playing football, being on the school council and organising and looking like a princess for her school formal.

Sophie invited the children to ask questions after her presentation and was extremely impressed by both the attentiveness and emotional intelligence of our pupils.

Our new group of School Council members were so impressed by Sophie’s informative and age-appropriate information session that they have now chosen Alopecia UK as one of the chosen charities for this year.

Sophie has very generously donated a Smyth's Superstore voucher as a prize for the winner of a ‘Celebrating Differences’ colouring school competition. Sophie also left a series of books that will be extremely helpful and informative for KS1 pupils to learn a little bit about Alopecia and how to accept differences between their peers. 

 We thank Sophie most sincerely for taking the time out from her studies to educate our pupils about Alopecia and wish her every success for her future.