Parents have positive impact on school life
By Mary Dennehy
THE positive impact parents can have on school life was evident recently when children from St Anne’s in Fettercairn hopped and skipped onto their newly designed yard space – after parents fundraised €5,500 for a colourful make-over.
On Tuesday morning, the new-look yards at St Anne’s primary school were officially unveiled to show new colourful markings which encourage and promote physical activity, play and fun.
Money for the project, which had been on the school’s wish list for some time, was raised through the Parents’ Committee, which organised a number of fundraising events that were supported by all parents.
Only 18 months ago, a new Parents’ Association and Parents’ Committee was established in St Anne’s and since then more than €7,500 has been raised through raffles, cake sales, the Mini-Marathon and a karaoke night – with €5,500 of that money paying for the school’s three yards to be painted with games and activities.
Painting work on the yard surfaces include hop scotch, a maze, a number snake and a running track, while the basketball court was also repainted.
Tara Quirke, St Anne’s Home School Community Liaison, told The Echo: “The new Parents’ Association has been a real positive to the school, with the Parents’ Committee, who have been supported by all parents, doing a tremendous amount of work in the past few months all for the benefit of the school and its pupils.
“It’s great for parents to be involved in the school and it’s great for children to see their parents engaging.
“It also benefits the wider community as relationships and friendships are made – with local businesses also coming on board to support the parents and the school through the donation of vouchers and raffle prizes.
“We can’t thank all of the parents enough for their support and hard work, and the excitement in the children’s faces when they saw their new yard said it all.”
Mary Cullen, St Anne’s Principal, said: “The Parents’ Association has only been in existence for the last 18 months and the tremendous work they have done so far and the money they have raised is a real asset to the school, with every penny raised being ploughed back into the school for the children’s benefit”.
