Ballymitty NS bids fond farewell to students

Ballymitty National School organised a special outdoor gathering to say goodbye to 6th class pupils who are moving on to second level education.

‘We felt it was so unnatural not to bid a proper farewell to the pupils that we watched grow for eight years’, said teacher Denise Fitzharris.

‘We waited patiently to see if we could hold a graduation and once the news broke that we could have an outside gathering, we planned a small and intimate evening.’

‘We wanted to recognise their contribution to the school and to present awards including our Boy and Girl pupils of the Year.’

Denise said the parents and pupils really appreciated the opportunity to bring ‘a very strange year’ to a close and the teachers and staff were delighted to be able to wish the children well as they move on to secondary school.

The pupils got a chance to see their friends again, while obeying social distancing measures, and they each took a walk through their classroom and then continued down the school path for the last time.

Speeches were made by several staff members, including the principal, Audrey McCarthy, who thanked the parents, pupils and staff for their hard work and support during such a difficult time.

Sixth class teacher Jane Barrett wished her departing pupils well next year and commended them on their hard work at home over the past few months.

A number of sixth class pupils read uplifting and encouraging poems during the event.

An award was presented to the first pupil to graduate from the school’s Autism Unit, An Choill Bheag.

Certificates were presented for participation in the Active School and Green School committees, the Student Council and the European Development Team.

Good Attendance Awards were also presented and an award was made to the pupil who had a story published in the local Parish Journal.

The overall award to Pupils of the Year for their outstanding contribution to school life in Ballymitty, went to Keira Roche and Patrick Quigley.

From left back: Cameron Whelan, Paddy Murphy, Ru Eaton, Michael Kent, Ian Fleming, Josh Sheridan, Cormac Neville and Bobby Murphy. Front: Joe Murphy, Alex Anglim and Paddy Quigley.

From left: Celine Stafford, Ciara Roche, Rachel Cleary, Hannah Lacey, Rebecca Cleary, Sophie Doyle and Rachel Nacey.

At the graduation ceremony for sixth class of Ballymitty National School on Monday evening was Pupil of the year (Girl) Ciara Roche who received the Mairead Ffrench Perpetual Trophy. From left: Christine Frisby, Ciara Roche, and Gillian Roche.

Pupil of the year (Boy) was Paddy Quigley who received the Sean McKenna Perpetual Trophy. From left: Audrey McCarthy (Principal), Eileen Carroll (mum), Kate Wickham (sister), Paddy Quigley and Jane Barrett (Teacher).

Mark Connor and Karen Sills with their son Josh Connor who was the first student to graduate from the autism unit.