Important Parent Letter

Dear Parent,

I am very glad to report that it has been a busy week!  As life starts to reflect some normality so does life at the school. 

The summer weather afforded us the opportunity to organise an outdoor leavers’ school Mass.  It took place last Thursday and it was simply beautiful.  It was the first opportunity in months to see the school assembled in one space.  Although the children were safely socially distanced within their class bubbles, they could see and hear each other.  It was a very special occasion. 

I want to thank Ms. McAloon for meticulously planning this event.  It was carried out with her usual precision and every eventuality accounted for.  I want to thank Mrs. Toal and Mrs. O’Connor for organising the choir and indeed the entire school to sing.  The Department of Education does not allow children to sing indoors due to the risk of spreading infection.  Therefore, there were no choir practices or assembly opportunities in the course of the year.  So to be able to organise and execute this in a few days was quite a feat on their behalf. 

I also want to thank former pupil Lucy Toal who played the piano throughout and worked alongside the children during the outdoor practices.  Lucy is a lovely, talented, young lady and we wish her all the love and luck in the world with her fantastic talents.  Indeed, all our teachers and classroom assistants were also brilliant.  It was a delight to see us all work in a group again where we did not have to communicate via technology. 

The following day allowed us to have Sports Day.  I want to thank another great organiser, Mrs. O’Connor who carried out her tasks as P.E. co-ordinator with similar precision.  The event went very well but we did miss your presence.

The children enjoyed both days.  They were very excited to see other classes, albeit, from a distance.  It was also the first opportunity for the little P.1. children to encounter the other children in the school.  What a strange experience this must have been for them.  Normally, by this stage of the year, they would have attended assembly every Friday, have been used to the dining hall, would have had a school Mass etc.  But as we all know; this was a different year.    

The school Mass also provided us with the opportunity to assemble the P.T.A. who helped to tidy up the grounds and prepare the place for the special event.  We have missed this very important group and it was just really refreshing to see them again in this capacity.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Frances and Fergal Trainor.  Last week, they made a very large monetary donation to the school.  Frances and Fergal were insistent that we accept.  On behalf of the entire staff, I want to thank them both. They now come to the end of their tenure as parents at Mullanaskea.  It has been a pleasure to teach and know their three beautiful children: Amy, Sean and Killian.  They have special qualities that will endear them anywhere they go.  They are a credit to their parents with beautiful manners and lovely warm personalities.  We shall miss them as a family but hope that they stay close to the Mullanaskea family.  The money will be used to support all our children, it is very much needed and appreciated.

I also want to thank you for your donations to Fr. Haltons’s special celebrations on his Golden Jubilee year.  Fr. Halton has tirelessly worked for the school in his roles as school chaplain and Chairperson of the Board of Governors.  He has always put children at the top of his agenda and always ‘bats’ for children’s rights.  I have always admired this quality.  I wish him continued health and endurance in his role and I also wish to thank him for years of service to the school and to the community.

As you already are aware, the classes are all going on trips this week and next week.  We also look forward to the Summer School (for years 4-7) which begins on the 9th July.  Mrs. O’Connor is the co-ordinator. I want to thank her and other staff for working over their summer holidays to serve the children.  It all goes beyond the call of duty.

Mrs. Toal also supported the P.6. and P.7 classes to deliver science projects for the recent RDS Science Fair and this was adjudicated by judges appointed for this event.  Both judges were really impressed with our children stating that the children were very sound scientific thinkers and really good communicators.  I was really impressed with the children.  I also noticed children who normally would be a little hesitant to speak to an audience offer their views.  It was really wonderful to witness. A special thank you to Mrs. Toal who is always ambitious for each child and wants to give them opportunities beyond the usual.  She has great drive, talents and energy and this inspires the children to achieve beyond limits.  Her energy gets passed onto each child that she teaches.

All of these events have been condensed into the few short weeks that we have had to get life back to some level of normality.  There is great vigour and endeavour within our staff to extend the curriculum beyond the classroom and to offer the children experiences that are so important to provide breadth and balance.  I want to thank our teachers, classroom assistants, Claire, Aidan, Bea and Alice for their energy and love of the place and the people. 

There is great confidence and dynamism within with our staff to ensure that opportunities for the children are at an optimum and it is lovely to be part of it.

Best Wishes,

Ms. O’Neill.