Loreto Kilkenny shines light on gender-based violence

Transition Year students and staff from Loreto Secondary School wove over 2,000 stars to make a stand against domestic, sexual and gender-based violence for International Women’s Day. 

The eight-pointed stars, woven for Amber’s One Million Stars project, represent light, hope and solidarity against violence.   

The stars were curated by the students into a special installation marking International Women’s Day 2023, which is currently on display in MacDonagh Junction.

They were woven as part of the ‘StartSafe’ schools programme, which runs in partnership with Amber’s One Million Stars project. ‘StartSafe’ helps local teens to develop and maintain healthy, safe relationships, while encouraging self-empowerment to create social change. 

“We’ve been working tirelessly each day for the last eight weeks with Amber’s One Million Stars project to spread awareness about gender-based violence through its ‘StartSafe’ programme," said Siobhan McQuillan, project lead, Amber’s One Million Stars Project.

"We’ve exceeded our own expectations by doubling our first goal of making 1,000 stars and reaching an impressive 2,250 stars in total. A star is made by taking four strips of ribbon and weaving them together to form a square, then folding to make the eight points of the star. The TY students volunteered our time and effort to make this project happen for International Women’s Day.” said Aoife O Reilly, TY Student, Loreto Secondary School.

“The TY students in Loreto began the StartSafe programme at the beginning of the year and set themselves a mammoth goal to weave 1,000 stars against gender-based violence of all forms for International Women’s Day 2023.  They have doubled that goal!  Their special star installation is a visual petition against violence and shows the student’s and the school’s commitment to raising awareness and fostering social change.” 

The stars woven by Loreto bring the number of stars woven in Kilkenny to over 42,000.  22 counties now weave stars with Amber’s One Million Stars project and over 200,000 stars have been woven in Ireland to date.    

Designed for Transition year students or older, the StartSafe programme covers topics including healthy/unhealthy dating and friendships, consent, recognising the signs of abusive behaviour, dating abuse and coercive control.  Amber’s experienced programme facilitators create a safe space for students to explore the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships.

During the programme, the eight points of healthy love are used as a framework to invite students to weave an eight pointed star.  This creates an open and safe environment where opinions and experiences can be shared.  Students can in turn choose to create an exhibition of their stars to promote healthy, safe relationships in their school and/or community.      

To learn more about the StartSafe programme or to book your school a place, contact childcare@amberwomensrefuge.ie .  The programme is open to girls, boys and mixed secondary schools in Kilkenny city and county.