A presentation from the Board of Management was made to Rev. Nicola at her last assembly with us on 1st June. She received a framed photograph of the pupils, a gift cheque and a beautiful floral arrangement.
We had a marvellous day at the West Glendalough Children’s Choral Festival and Sports in Blessington on Tuesday 19th June; we attended a lovely church service in St. Mary’s Church first-well done to Ellen, Sally and Kirby for reading their prayers so well. The service was followed by refreshments in the school grounds. The races were then held in the adjoining GAA grounds. We did really well this year, managing to win the Overall Cup for the second year in a row and bringing home all four cups. Congratulations to Jessica Cole who won the Girls Championship, to Stephen Badakin for winning the Boys championship and to Brandon Martin, Jessica Cole and Stephen Badakin for winning the Clergy Cup Relay race. Congratulations to all who won medals and most of all -well done to everyone who came along and took part- regardless of where pupils finished in their races, it was so great to see all the children participating, encouraging others and showing great sportsmanship.
The highlight of this school year has undoubtedly been the Official Opening and Blessing of Athy Model School by Archbishop Michael Jackson on Thursday 21st June. We had a wonderful turn out of parents, family and guests and it was a really happy occasion for us all. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the day special-Rev. Cliff, the Board, the Parents Association, all our staff and, most of all, our pupils-they sang and performed so well and were a real credit to us all. After all the torrential rain of the previous night, the sun shone on us, allowed the Archbishop to cut the ribbon outside and the pupils to release their balloons along with their prayers for our new school building into the sky-a magical moment.
We held our End of Year Service on Sunday 24th June, during which we sadly said goodbye to our sixth class pupils- Cara Rowan, Immanuel Idelebagbon, Kirby Yek, Jade Arundell, Ross Hendy, Lorcan Turner, Kilian Harris, Brandon Martin, Stephen Badakin, Conor Dennehy, William Hayden, Alisha Harper and Grace Famose. All of 6th class received autograph books, certificates and book tokens. Congratulations to: Cara Rowan who was awarded the Loftus Warren Cup for effort and progress, to Conor Dennehy who was awarded the Scripture Prize, to Charlene Pere who received the William Ashmore Plaque for effort and progress in 1st class, and to the following who received Gold certificates and book tokens for full attendance in the school year to date-Alva Nash, Ivanka Manase, Zoe Harper, Evelyn Kenny, Alisha Harper and Immanuel Idelebagbon. The following received Silver certificates for missing only one school day to date-Anna Olawepo, Charlene Pere, Taz Chinamasa and Neza Murenzi. Well done to you all.
We have to say a very sad farewell to our Special Needs Assistant, Maria Weston, who will be leaving us on Friday 29th June. Liz Pearson spoke for all of us after the service when she complimented Maria on her enthusiastic involvement in all aspects of school life and her maternal and practical nature. A presentation of a gift and flowers were made to Maria on behalf of the Board of Management.
Finally, a presentation was made to Liz Pearson by Jane Burns, on behalf of the Board of Management, to celebrate her forthcoming marriage on 12th July to Geoffrey Deane. We warmly wish both Liz and Geoffrey happiness in their married life.
Our Annual 6th class Sale was held in the school on Monday 25th June. Once again, the weather held up and was warm and sunny for this. As well as the usual Toy and Cake stall, the Raffle and so on, there were lots of fun games this year such as the Gutter and the Hanging up the Washing Races, as well as a competition for the best cupcake, won by Kirby Yek. Well done to 6th class and to Mrs Cole for all their great ideas and hard work. Thank you to the 6th class parents, the many past pupils, all who supported it and everyone who helped to make it such a success. A total of €764.80 was raised, all of which goes the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. The cheque was presented on Thursday 28th June to Adrienne Doyle of the Irish Guide Dogs, and Daphne Griffin, fundraiser for the Guide Dogs.
We wish everyone a fun, relaxing and safe summer. School reopens on the 29th August.
Athy Model School is a primary school under the patronage of the Department of Education, with a Church of Ireland ethos. We endeavour to enable each child to acquire a set of moral values based on the ethos of the school.