Junior School
Dear Parents, Sitting here in my office thinking about the school year gone by, I almost have to pinch myself to believe that the last fifteen months, since March 2020, have really happened. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many changes and challenges to life in the Junior School. As well as the huge transformation that came about when we moved to online teaching and learning in January, there were also major changes when we were physically in the school building. The children stayed in class bubbles and pods, teachers wore masks, we are all conscious of social distancing, and sadly our parent body could not come inside our school building. Yes - there have been so many huge adjustments to make. And yet, as I reflect at year end, I have to say that in many ways it has been a wonderful year! Firstly, the children have been simply amazing – online they were fully engaged, giving of their best, and getting on with their learning. And when we came back to school – the children got straight back to their lessons, delighted to be able to work and play together again and share learning and friendship. For me, the highlight of the year was certainly on March 15th when all of the children from Junior Infants to Standard 6 returned to school and once again the happy sound of fun and laughter and catching up with friends could be heard throughout the school day. What joy! All of our main annual school events - such as the Talent Show, the Standard 6 Plays, Graduation and Prizegiving went ahead and were live-streamed to parents and grandparents across the world! Parent-teacher meetings took place via Zoom and were effective and efficient. And finally, Sports Day took place (albeit with just the children
present!); and School Tours this year were fun days in the sunny and beautiful surrounds of our School Campus topped off with a visit from the ice-cream van! So perhaps we have all learned to appreciate the simple blessings in life just that little bit more! I would like to take a moment to offer thanks to everyone who has made this year a year to remember for many positive reasons. I would like to thank you our parents for being so supportive and encouraging and for your constant interest and care in this extraordinary year. Thank you also for trusting our tentative steps into the world of online teaching and learning! I want to thank the incredible Junior School staff team who have all worked so hard to ensure that, in these strange days, school life was as normal as possible for all of our pupils, and above all that they enjoyed a busy, happy and fulfilling year. I am blessed to work with such an amazing team - filled with integrity, authenticity and kindness. Finally I thank our wonderful girls and boys who have been just remarkable this year – particularly in how seamlessly they adapted to all of the changes in school life – and simply got on with the job and were their very best selves! And so at year end I wish you all a Summer filled with sunshine and happy days and I look forward to seeing everyone again in September when, please God, things may be just a little more back to normal! Deirdre Farrell - Headmistress
2021