It was a historic week for St Anthony’s special school in Castlebar which this week saw its biggest ever graduating class leave the school. Ten students, three of whom have been in the school for 12 years and the others also there for long periods of time, were rewarded with a special graduation Mass and presentation. Fiona Byrne, principal of St Anthony’s, was delighted with the achievement of her graduating class. “It is the biggest class we have ever had leave the school,” she said. “Most of them have been with us since we were very young. It was very emotional, because of the emotional ties and attachments they build up between the students and the teachers through the years who work together for years.”
The school also was highly praised in a Department of Education and Science whole school evaluation, which was carried out earlier this year and released this week. “We are delighted with the report, the last evaluation that was carried out was in 2001 and this report really highlights the school and shows the true value of the work put in by all the different staff and the students,” Ms Byrne said. “It pays particular attention to the broad education and personal development that we give to the students. The personal development side is something we take great pride in so that when students leave the school they have the confidence to go out into the world and interact with adults and everyone very comfortably with high self esteem.”
The school also got further good news when it was announced on Thursday that it had gained its second Green Flag. “It’s another first for the school and great praise must be given to all who took part in this effort” said Ms Byrne.
