Celebrations are high in St Anne’s with opening of new parents’ room

Celebrations are high in St Anne’s with opening of new parents’ room

By Mary Dennehy

THE benefits of parental involvement in primary schools was showcased last Friday when a new parents’ room was officially opened in St Anne’s NS in Fettercairn.

The primary school, which has a longstanding tradition of parental involvement, has for the past few years been operating a parents’ room out of a small kitchen area.

St anns Parents Room Fettercairn 06 

However, the tight space limited the type of activity that could be offered and also the number of parents that could engage in classes and courses.

Last Friday, celebrations were high when a new, bigger space was dedicated to the parents and officially opened on the grounds of St Anne’s.

Tara Quirke, St Anne’s Home School Community Liaison Officer, told The Echo: “Everyone is delighted with the new room, which is located in the school but is accessed through its own door.

St anns Parents Room Fettercairn 14

“There is much more potential now in terms of the classes and courses that can be offered and we hope that parents will help to shape the different activities offered.”

She added: “It really is a positive move and shows parents that the school encourages and values their contributions and involvement.

“Some parents may not have had the most positive experiences in school themselves and the parents’ room is a nice way to reach out to these parents and hopefully get them to drop in for a chat and a cuppa.

“They may end up doing a class or a course then, and that could take them anywhere.

“The room helps to build positive relations with parents and it’s great for children to see their parents involved in their school.”

She added: “This room will be a focal point for all parents and is a comforting, informal and welcoming space.”

Courses, classes, activities, such as flower-arranging and crafts, cake sales and clubs will all operate out of the room, which has an open door policy.

St anns Parents Room Fettercairn 07

Parent Sabrina McDonnell, who is also on the Parents’ Association, said: “The room is brilliant and is not a parents’ association room, it’s a parents’ room – a room for everybody.

“Sometimes parents are struggling and it would help for them to have a place they could drop into and have a chat with other parents or get information.

“The room is great for me because of the 1.30pm club, which sees parents who have a pick-up at 1.30pm and another at 2.30pm attending a club for an hour with their younger child and they can do homework or other activities instead of having to go home sit in their car.

“It’s a great addition to the school and we’re looking forward to seeing it grow.”

 

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