A proud St Peter’s remembers Jodie
ST PETER’S National school in Bray held their ‘Pride of Peter’s’ event last Friday, celebrating the school and remembering deceased pupil Jodie Gilbert.
In September 2016, they opened their new extension and over the past two years numerous additions were made to the school in the form of a sensory room and STEM areas.
They also upgraded the library with colourful, child friendly furniture and purchased the latest in technology for STEM areas. Further vibrant upgrades were also carried out in the play areas, designed to encourage active and interactive play.
However, in the midst of all of these improvements, there was always one piece of the puzzle missing.
In 2015, the school community very sadly lost one of their pupils, Jodie, and her family in the Carrickmines fire.
‘We always knew that we wanted to do something special for Jodie and the students suggested that we build a garden for her,’ said school principal Emer Whyte. ‘As with all of the other projects, the garden took time to get it right. John Durston, a landscape designer very kindly created a beautiful design which captured Jodie’s spirit and happy outlook on life.’
As the garden was only completed just before the summer holidays, many parents hadn’t had the opportunity to see it. Hence, they decided to hold a ‘Pride of Peter’s’ afternoon for parents and grandparents.
‘We were particularly delighted that Jodi’s grandfather and aunt could attend the event,’ said Ms Whyte.
Students were encouraged to show their families around the school and experience the wide variety of activities and projects which are going on.
‘We were honoured to have many of our past teachers visit the school on the day and the student council were delighted to bring them on a trip down memory lane,’ said Ms Whyte.
Refreshments were served in the hall and parents particularly loved the displays of old photographs. It was a lovely occasion where students could really take pride in St Peter’s.