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Principal of St John’s Parochial School, Aoife Benton, in the classroom with pupils on ‘Pyjama Day’ on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
SOME may not know it, but there is a lovely little school nestled in the heart of the town.
St John’s Parochial School, which is adjacent to the Church of Ireland church on Ashe Street, is holding an open day on Saturday, to show parents the advantages of sending their children there.
And from our visit to the school on Friday, it’s clear they have a lot to offer as Principal Aoife Benton explained.
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“The open day is a great chance for parents to come in, get a feel of the positive atmosphere here, to talk to the teachers and I think they’ll get great insight from even 20 minutes in the building. There’s a few activities planned for the children while the parents speak with staff,” she said.
“Any parent who is enrolling their child in a school will have worries, so it’s very important to us to alleviate those fears. Starting school is a big moment for the child but it’s also huge for parents. Every parent wants to get it right, so we’re here to answer any questions they might have. The safety and happiness of the child is so important to them and us,” said Aoife.
Even from our brief visit on Friday – which happened to be ‘Pyjama Day’ – it was clear the children were really happy with a familial atmosphere pervading throughout the building.
Ms Patricia Fitzell with the junior pupils at St John’s Parochial School on Ashe Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
“Because we’re a small school in the middle of town, the atmosphere here is of being part of one big group – the first class pupils help out the juniors, the sixth class assist the third class pupils,” said Aoife.
The school consists of two classrooms; junior and senior infants are in with first and second class pupils under Deputy Principal Ms Fitzell, while the other room has third to sixth classes taught by Principal Benton.
There are also two learning support teachers, a resource teacher and two special needs assistants.
Pupils in the multi-sensory room at St John’s Parochial School. Photo by Dermot Crean
Each class has its own library, they have a fully stocked PE room and a football coach comes in once a week. There is also a multi-sensory room – which is a space where children can go to take time out – and two support rooms.
The location of the school makes it a perfect for day trips around town.
“We can take trips around town as everything is on our doorstep. It’s so convenient. We can walk to the Wetlands, Siamsa Tíre, the County Museum and the library. A huge cost for schools is a bus to take the children on these trips but this does not apply to us. We also go off on a hike with the Tralee Mountaineering Club once a year,” said Aoife.
The perception of St John’s Parochial School for many is that it is for children of the Church Of Ireland faith but this is something which has changed over the years and pupils of all religions and none are welcome.
“Times have changed and we currently have children from other religions. Children can receive the sacraments, but it is done outside the school. If the children want to receive First Communion, that can be arranged,” said Aoife.
The senior infants at St John’s Parochial School on Ashe Street during ‘Pyjama Day’. Photo by Dermot Crean
A student council was also formed recently and the children held their own election late last year. They meet once or twice a week to come up with projects and fundraisers, one of which was Friday’s ‘Pyjama Day’.
The open day takes place from 1pm next Saturday, January 28, so if you have a child about to start school it’s well worth going down to Ashe Street (the school is accessed to the right of the church). Check out the school website here
