On April 12th after a challenging number of weeks of online learning Transition Year, like the rest of the nation, returned to the classroom in Scoil Ruáin Killenaule. Following conversation with their Year Head Mrs Siobhán Tobin they came to a collective decision that they wished to give something back to the community of Killenaule.
Earlier in the school year they had brightened up the town and St Mary’s National school yard by creating Scarecrows for the Halloween season. Their plan to design and gift snowmen to the National school was thwarted by the rain and wind that refused to cooperate with their painting endeavours.
With Summer on the horizon they decided that they would make window boxes, paint them and plant them with beautiful bedding pants and gift them to the more senior citizens in Killenaule and those that may live alone or have felt isolated during the lockdown.
With extraordinary help and guidance from Mr Paul White, Mr Vincent O Dwyer , Mr Cian Corcoran and Mr Liam Griffin the 70 window boxes were made from scratch and painted and designed.
Mr PJ Hayes in the Post Office helped to identify the recipients and their location and each person was contacted to let them know what would happen .
Every student planted a window box with guidance from Mrs Tobin and Ms McDermott slaved over the baking trays to make delightful cup cakes to add to the gift, all boxed and wrapped to perfection.
On Friday May 7th all the TY class set off on their mission to spread a little happiness and joy in the town , to connect with our neighbours and friends and have a little intergenerational socially distanced chat . The love and care and happiness shared was a joy to behold.
The project shows how caring and generous of spirit our teenagers are and how they can be guided to good deeds so easily. Their own sense of contentment and positivity has enriched their end of year and shown them the power of a simple act of kindness to our fellow humans.
We cannot thank the following people enough :
Glanbia Fethard – for organising the plants and their extremely generous donation to our project
Centenary Co op Cashel for their contribution of 10 bags of compost
Mr Thomas Maher for his contribution of excellent topsoil
None of this would have been possible without the support and generosity of both Mr James Williams ( Principal) and Mrs Siobhán Landers ( Deputy Principal) . Their unfailing desire to see the best in our students and promote the positive nature of the school community makes this endeavour possible. We thank them most sincerely for their continued belief in the student body of Scoil Ruáin.
