Junior School I have to begin by acknowledging that we have walked a different, and at times difficult, path over the past two years with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. But yet - here we are - at the end of a wonderful school year and with great hope in our hearts - as over the past number of months school life has slowly began to return to normal and a whirlwind of fun and activity has once again been felt throughout the school! And perhaps nothwithstanding all that Covid-19 brought in its wake – it has also given us time to pause, to think and to gain a renewed appreciation of what really matters and what is really important in our lives. And, in the school context, I have come to realise that - yes of course, in the midst of Covid-19 we have managed efficiently and effectively - but nothing can compare to the normal, happy, humdrum routine of school life. So for instance:
I know I speak on behalf of everyone when I extend warm love and heartfelt congratulations : to Ms. Byrne on the birth of her baby girl Ana. A big sister for Arabella! to Julie on the birth of her baby girl Síle Marie - while we had onlineAnd school, we now to Stephanie on her forthcoming marriage to Richard. Wishing you all happiness in abundance!
know that nothing can compare to the positive connection of teachers and children in class together or to the sounds of fun and laughter ringing through the playground; - while we had virtual Sports Days from your back gardens, we now know that nothing can compare to the delight of watching the children running their races cheered on by Mums and Dads; - and while we have had Shows, Plays, Graduations and Prizegiving zoomed online, we now know that nothing can compare to the warmth and joy of being able to come together as St. Gerard’s school community for First Communion, for Prizegiving, for the Standard 6 plays and Graduation…... And so perhaps we have a new appreciation of the simple pleasures of life, and perhaps we have also learned to cherish each precious moment. This year, we have also come to realise the importance of living our school ethos - not only in our words but also in our actions. And so it was with open doors and full hearts that we welcomed Sviatoslav, Ivan, Anna, Kirill, Masha, Oleksii, Viktoriaa, Alisa and Sofiia to our Junior School from their homeland in Ukraine. Our students, staff and parents gave them a warm céad míle fáilte and they are now an integral part of our school community.
And now, after a busy year, we face into the long happy days of the Summer holidays. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt thanks - firstly, to you the parents for your continuous support and encouragement; also to the Junior School staff team who are quite simply outstanding and who make school community not only a centre of excellence in education but a warm community of learning, caring and kindness; and of course to each and every one of our fantastic pupils from Montessori to Standard 6 thank you for the fun and enthusiasm and excellence you bring to our Junior School each and every day. I wish you all a wonderful and happy Summertime and I look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and reinvigorated in September. Dr. Deirdre Farrell - Headmistress