• As the new month began, it was clear that schools would not be reopening before the summer holidays. This was a source of immense regret, especially as we thought of our Sixth Class pupils who would be missing out on their last days of primary school and the sense of comradery that those days bring. It was decided that within the guidelines of public health advice some small celebration would be organised before the end of June to mark this milestone for the class of 2020!
• We welcomed Ms Kedian back to our school as she re-joined us at the start of the month, whereupon she made immediate contact with her pupils.
• Mrs Warde shared some hugely gratifying news with the school community, namely that we have been awarded our Amber Flag status by Pieta House! The flag is awarded to schools and groups who strive to create a healthy inclusive environment that supports mental wellbeing. The team at Pieta House thanked the Amber Flag Committee for their commitment and dedication to promoting positive mental health. The school as a whole was praised for its outstanding initiatives in this regard, which were documented in the application made to Pieta. Each committee member will receive an Amber Flag certificate. It is hoped that we will receive the actual flag in September and that our current Sixth Class will be able to return for this day of celebration!
• At this time of year we hold our very enjoyable ‘Active School Week’. However this year, due to the closure we held instead ‘Active Home Week’! Each teacher outlined age-appropriate activities that could be undertaken at home with minimal equipment. Mrs Warde also sent a selection of links to help with additional ‘active’ ideas for the week or indeed which could be used during the summer months ahead. Praise must be given to our pupils who are already very engaged in physical activities namely walking, running, cycling, football, hurling, gardening and farming. However we still wished to mark on our calendar a week dedicated to developing and maintaining a healthy attitude towards physical exercise. Feedback afterwards from pupils and parents was extremely positive but naturally children missed the fun element of being in the company of their friends for the tasks and challenges.
• As lessons on water, farm and fire safety would normally be covered with children at this time of year, Mrs Warde shared links with parents to support the revision of these topics. Of particular note is PAWS (Primary Aquatics Water Safety) which is a terrific resource that teaches children how to be safe around water in homes, pools, on beaches and farms. This is a free resource and is available digitally. Unfortunately it was not possible go on our annual school tour this year, so Mrs Warde posted links to many virtual school tours. These included ‘excursions’ to zoos, museums, historical sites and many wonderful and fascinating places of interest around the world. We hope that our pupils will enjoy these tours in the weeks ahead!
• A ‘Collection Day’ was held at the school where parents were invited to return rental books. Work completed by children during the Covid-19 closure was also handed in on the day. It was a lovely opportunity to see parents again, albeit in a safe and socially distanced manner.
• We said farewell to Miss Orna Fahey who has been working as a substitute teacher in the junior room for the past number of months. We wish to thank Ms Fahey for her enthusiasm, dedication and hard work during this time. During her term at the school, Orna also completed the Droichead process which is the system in place, to support the professional learning of newly qualified teachers. Earlier in the year both Mrs Warde and Mrs Meehan underwent the training required to support an NQT in the induction phase of his or her career. Ms Fahey was a conscientious teacher who displayed a wealth of talents, brought energy and zeal to her role and endeared herself to children and parents while at our school. We wish her much success and happiness in her future career!
• Attendance certificates were awarded to children with excellent attendance throughout the year. Having perfect attendance with no day missed were Tara Lynchehaun and Caitlin Llongo. Missing just one day were Michael Duffy and Patrick Regan. Absent for two days were Oisín Lynchehaun, Cian Roddy, Hadley-Jack Burns and Emma Shiel. Not present for three days were Peter Duffy, Áine Duffy, Seán Roddy, Declan Duffy and Oran Frain. Also recipients of certificates, having missed just four days of schooling were Kiera Roddy, Jenson Burns, Nathan Duffy and Aoibhín Boyle. Due to the school closure the actual certificates were only presented to pupils from Sixth Class at their graduation evening, while all other students will receive theirs when we return in September.
• It was a source of great joy to the whole school community when it was confirmed that it would be possible to gather our Sixth Class together for an outdoor socially distanced ‘graduation ceremony’. The six pupils along with their parents, staff and Fr Sherlock, assembled in the school yard on Wednesday, June 17th. Mrs Warde addressed the pupils and spoke of how the recent closure has underlined how school is about so much more than academic learning. It has shown us its centrality to socialisation for pupils. She recalled the various people that the children have encountered on their eight year journey and the events and pursuits that have been part of their education through the years. Mrs Warde praised the children for the fine young people they have become and emphasised the importance of being rooted in their community and being proud of where they come from. She urged them to look out for each other in the years ahead and to always be kind to others. Fr Sherlock then spoke and stated his desire for the happiness of the children above all else. He thanked them for their dedication to serving Mass and how much he has missed that in the months since lockdown began. The pupils then gave Mrs Warde some beautiful gifts and together with their parents recited a poignant poem expressing their gratitude for all she has done. Mrs Warde presented the Sixth Class with personalised 2020 hoodies as a commemorative keepsake of this most unusual year. They also received goody bags and a selection of treats. Fr Sherlock remembered all nine Sixth Class pupils of the whole parish in a special way at Mass on the following Sunday. The students are wished well as they head into their summer holidays and onto a new beginning at Second Level. They are most welcome back to the school for work experience at any time and are assured of our good wishes for a wonderful future!
The Class of 2020
Aoibhín Boyle
Liam Boyle
Oran Frain
Amy Hunt
Mary Moffatt
Micaela Roddy