Manchester: Students celebrate achievements of women

Students with Mike Kane MP

A group of female students from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester recently took part in an event ‘Our Wythenshawe Women’ at Wythenshawe Forum to celebrate the achievements of women.

The students were warmly welcomed by Mike Kane MP and the host for the afternoon was Claire Mooney the singer, songwriter and performer.

Angela Rayner MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, provided the enthralling keynote address and enthusiastically shared her journey to political success.

The event was designed using large round tables that seated a mixture of twelve women from a wide range of the community including, local businesses (including Wythenshawe Hospital and Manchester Airport), students and other prominent women. Each table had a facilitator who led discussions on how females can reflect and improve on all aspects their well-being and in doing so progress to their personal goals (including mental health, nutrition, exercise, relationships and interests).

Miss Ursula Gallagher from Saint Paul’s said: “I took twelve students to the event hosted at the Forum who all engaged really well and were given the opportunity to hear the life stories of many local influential women who were all faced with challenges in their youth. Some examples are the Shadow Minister for Education Angela Rayner MP and a young carer who has set up her own support group after the funding for the one she attended was cut.

“Other speakers included Councillor Sarah Judge who provided an insight into her career path alongside Jacque Allen from Wythenshawe Community Housing group and Sara Todd from the City Council.

“Each speaker talked for approximately fifteen minutes and then table groups discussed relevant topics. The discussions focused on: business, employment & skills, the Community, health and wellbeing; and family & relationships.

“It was a fantastic event that closed with the facilitator from each table making closing and inspiring comments this was apart from our table where three of our students volunteered to do this and were given a fantastic round of applause and the MP Michael Kane shook hands with them.”

Mr Tony Billings, Executive Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s, added: “Our students found the event incredibly inspiring; it provided the perfect setting for them to network and share views and ideas on how we can all work together to meet the challenges that face them as young women in Wythenshawe.