Community figure honoured in school sensory room naming
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The attendance at the Green Schools and Sensory Room event in Skryne NS on Friday.Image 2 of 7
Minister for Education, Helen McEntee, pupils, teachrs and parents reps of Scoil Cholmcille, Skryne, raise their seventh Green Flag.Image 3 of 7
Minister McEntee opens the ‘Cúinne Catherine’ sensory room, in memory of Catherine Hanley, with her grandchildren, Seán, Eva and Jack.Image 4 of 7
Ella Sharkey and Clara Looby tell the gathering about the school’s Global Citizenship and Energy Award.Image 5 of 7
Minister McEntee congratulates the Skryne school children on their achievements. INSET RIGHT: Minister McEntee opens the ‘Cúinne Catherine’ sensory room, in memory of Catherine Hanley, with her grandchildren, Seán, Eva and Jack.Image 6 of 7
The Scoil Cholmcille Green Schools committee in Skryne with their East and Midlands Region Green Flag Award.Image 7 of 7
A beloved member of the Skryne community was remembered in the local Scoil Cholmcille primary school on Friday morning last when a new sensory room was named in honour of Catherine Hanley.
‘Cúinne Catherine’ – Catherine’s Corner – was opened by the Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee, with the help of three of Catherine’s grandchildren, Jack, Eva and Seán.
Principal Tom Brennan recalled that just over a year ago, “we lost Catherine, who was part of the school and wider community for decades, as a parent, parents' association member, board of management member, grandparent, and chair of the board of management”.
“She had a great strength and was vocal at the board of management meetings for the children,” he added. “She backed the vision of the school when she saw it was for the children and their benefit.” He paid tribute to the teachers involved in the sensory room, Grainne Harrington, and previous Special Needs co-ordinator, Eimear Bean Ui Raghallaigh.
“Catherine’s memory will live on through this room for a long time,” Mr Brennan continued. “It is fitting that it will provide solace and well-being space and will be available to every child as they need it.
“It will have such a positive impact just as Catherine did.”
Also on Friday morning, Minister McEntee raised the school’s seventh Green Flag –a regional award for global citizenship and energy. At an assembly in the Fr Gleeson Hall, students Ella Sharkey and Clara Looby outlined the background to the school’s first Green Schools award, describing it as a truly exciting journey for the whole school community.
“Over two years, we’ve worked together to make real changes in how we think about energy, the environment, and our role as global citizens.” Ella explained. “Our Green Schools Committee, made up of 18 students from different classes, led the way with energy audits, awareness campaigns, and school-wide projects on renewable and non-renewable energy.”
Clara added: “One of our biggest achievements was helping the school apply for and secure a government grant to install solar panels – a huge step towards using cleaner, renewable energy. We also led a successful road safety campaign to promote safer, greener travel to school for the pupils, and we highlighted the need or driver education to make our roads safer for pedestrians.”
Scoil Cholmcille was named winner of the East and Midlands Region Award for Golbal Citizenship and Energy.
The judges wrote: “Scoil Cholmcille has shown that a united school community can drive real, transformative change, Their commitment to inclusivity, climate justice, and community engagement reflects the very heart of what it means to be a Green School. Scoil Cholmcille is lighting the way for schools nationwide.”
The event concluded with a song written and performed by the children of Kieran Fanning's class called 'Save Energy', written to the tune of 'Die With a Smile' by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.