Delight as St Michael’s NS return to school
Crafting, creating, growing, keeping fit, building and baking their way through lockdown, is how the students of St Michael’s National School in Ballyduff embraced online learning.
“We all had to grow and adapt together to make the best of the situation we all found ourselves in while at home, and the wider community of St. Michael’s NS including the pupils, parents and school staff all adapted so well to online learning through the use of the schools’ digital platform Google Classroom,” said principal, Mary Sugrue.
Talented pupils from Ballyduff Upper truly embraced online learning, as they baked, built, kept fit, farmed, created and crafted their way through the lockdown.
Not only did classes continue to work through textbooks, but children benefited from several additional projects such as regular Friday Fitness classes with Múinteoir Eric, a 6th class transition programme delivered by Mrs Griffin, the GROW sunflower project organised by Aideen the school SNA, and a very successful St Michael’s Bake Off co-ordinated by Múinteoir Louise.
‘IN AWE’
Mary Sugrue, Principal of St Michael’s NS and her staff wish to highlight the great work of all the children and their families, who embraced online learning since the beginning of the year.
“We are in awe of the wonderful work which has been completed by students since January. There was fantastic co-operation between the parents, staff and students. This is reflected in the quality of the work that students sent to their teachers’ daily through our schools’ Google Classroom digital platform.
“Everyone was flexible and tried to do the best they could for the children. We just want to celebrate and say a huge ‘well done - maith sibh’ to all the boys and girls, parents and school staff. ‘The learning that takes place in a classroom cannot be replaced or replicated, but so too is the great learning that goes on in homes,” Principal Sugrue added.
The children were also commended on the many skills which they used to fill their time wisely during the lockdown, with some students even signing up for online language, fitness, drama and dance classes.
“We had children baking, helping around at home, out farming, building, playing board games and cards, recording music, keeping fit, growing seeds, writing to loved ones, crafting and art-making and constructing fantastic creations. Children had a chance to be at home and be creative and not have to rush to the next scheduled event.
“It is true to say that the children of Ballyduff Upper are very fortunate to have such space and freedom living in the countryside, in such a picturesque valley with the majestic River Blackwater meandering through it,” Ms Sugrue said
Ar scáth a chéile a mhairimíd (in the shadow of each other we live) and this is very true of the students, parents and staff of St Michael’s NS.
The teachers and students now look forward to the future, and all will enjoy the many exciting projects planned in the coming months, to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings of Ballyduff Upper, and the skills and creativity of their students.