Years Experience: >15 years
Years with St. Peter's National School: 3 years Hometown: Co. Meath Interesting fact: Before qualifying as a Primary Teacher I spent a year teaching English in a huge secondary school in France, after I studied French in university. I much prefer teaching in a primary school! |
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My name is Emma Flynn and I’ve been teaching in St. Peter’s for three years. I live in the Royal County with my husband and two young children and count myself 100% Meath as I was born and reared in the county.
I am currently teaching in a Special Educational Needs (SEN) position in St. Peter’s. I provide support in literacy and numeracy, both in class and by withdrawal to children from various classes throughout the school. Some are taught on a one-to-one basis while others receive support in small groups. I also work closely with the middle class teacher to provide Literacy Power Hours, three times a week. In these, the whole 2nd class comes to my room where we focus on comprehension strategies twice a week and work on the Building Bridges literacy programme the other day. The children are exposed to a wide range of texts aimed at improving their comprehension skills. Prior to teaching in St. Peter’s I taught a mainstream class for 12 years in another small school in the locality. I really enjoy working in a small school as it’s easy to get to know people and form a good rapport, with both the staff and parents. We all watch out for each other and work together as a small school family. I am an avid reader and have been all my life. If I manage to grab a free moment in the evenings, I can always be found with my nose stuck in a book. I love singing and am a member of a local choir. I am attempting to learn the piano. It’s not going so well at the moment, but it’s a long-term project… Maybe I’m a better teacher than student! |
Years Experience: > 15years
Years with St. Peter's National School: 12 years Hometown: Dunboyne Interesting fact: I was a young Ballroom dancer and my passion for performing continued on into my adult life when I joined the O’Connell Musical Society. I’ve since retired my dancing shoes and now my Saturday nights from late September to December are filled with watching Strictly Come Dancing. |
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My name is Karen and I have been working as an SNA at St Peter’s National School since 2009. Prior to my work as an SNA, I previously worked at Bord Gais for over 20 years. I then decided to change my career after I had 3 children, especially with the experience of raising my son, who was diagnosed with ASD in the late 1990’s. From my own personal involvement I knew the importance of the role of an SNA in a child’s life. After my experience as a parent seeking and accessing appropriate professional support for my son, I made the decision to become an SNA. I became a qualified SNA in 2003, after completing my Diploma, and then secured a position in Gaelscoil Scoil Uí Dhalaigh, Leixlip Co Kildare where I worked for 7 years.
In 2009 I started working in St Peter’s N.S, Dunboyne and I have been there ever since. St Peter’s has empowered me to further develop additional skills over time. Over the last 12 years at St Peter’s I have thoroughly enjoyed working here. There has always been a warm and welcoming atmosphere and it is a school where all children and staff are valued. |
Years Experience: > 15years
Years with St. Peter's National School: 15 years Hometown: Co. Kildare Interesting fact: I’m a very creative person and always up to something. Not many people know that I’m part of a Dramatic Society in my local area for a number of years now. I’m currently in the middle of writing my own Biography book. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I went on a long lost family journey. You are all invited to my book launch in the near future. |
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I have been an SNA in St. Peter’s since 2006. Before that I was working in the Creche business as Manager to a number of creches over the years. The hours were long and I was ready for a change. A friend encouraged me to apply for the job and I haven’t looked backed since. A few weeks into my new job at St. Peter’s, I was helping out on yard duty one day when I noticed a couple of kids kicking a ball around down in our small garden area at the end of the school yard. Soon, arguments occurred over captaincy and I intervened and explained about the key points in playing fair, turn taking and the basic rules in football. I had played football for years and had a lot of knowledge in this area. More kids got involved and I realized I nearly had a full team playing at this stage So I asked the former Principal at the time, Joy Smith, could I set up a football team. The football teams were moved to an area on the yard due to its popularity. Over time, Goals were bought by the PTA and lines were drawn out on the yard. Bibs were worn to distinguish the teams.
I organized the juniors to play against each on first break and the seniors to play on second break. I made sure that everybody got a turn to be captain each day which was a big deal for the kids. More and more children took part on our football School team each year. I kept a record of all events, such as Captains and scores in my football book and I coached and supervised the children everyday while on yard duty. It became a great success. In 2017, the senior team got into the finals of the FAI Football Tournaments in Navan. I was very proud to be part of this great moment in St. Peter’s. I’m a keen and passionate gardener at home so I also got involved in setting up a kitchen garden in our School garden. Joy who loves gardening too, helped me out. We dug out a number of drills and made up raised beds. I set up a Garden Committee and got some children from each classroom who liked gardening to get involved planting some fruit bushes, Apple trees and a Plum tree. The children also enjoyed weeding and maintaining the garden which is ongoing. The children have also done indoor planting which they have brought home. In the Spring, I teach the children from all classes, how to plant potatoes, onions, vegetables, herbs and any other crops we can plant in our garden. The children still love planting today. When the garden matured, Joy and myself signed up to do a garden Competition called ‘Pride of Place’. There were five levels over five years. There was a certain criteria to follow and complete along with a Scrapbook which was presented at the end of each year. It was wonderful when we were rewarded our Certificates for each level. Our School garden has taught the children important life skills, teamwork, responsibility and communication skills. I love working in St. Peter’s for many reasons. it’s a small pupil School so you get to know each child individually and are able to give them your experience and time. There is also a close bond between all the staff members and the School has a lovely working atmosphere. We have a wonderful Principal who is very warm, kind and approachable when needed which makes a big difference for staff and children. I hope to continue to work in St. Peter’s until I retire. |
Years Experience: 5 years
Years with St. Peter's National School: 2 years Hometown: Co. Kildare Interesting fact: My absolute favourite thing to do is to hang out with my horses and dogs. I also enjoy having a chat with our hens and checking to see if they laid any eggs - even though I really don’t like eggs!!! |
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I started my full time position as a SNA in St. Peter’s National School in September 2019. Previous to that I subbed in St. Peter’s as well as many other schools in Meath and Kildare for a number of years.
When I started in St Peters the warm welcome I received was second to none. Since then there hasn’t been one day that I didn’t want to go to work. I find working as a SNA very rewarding, although sometimes challenging. I really enjoy interacting with the children and seeing them progress. My favourite part of the day is seeing them all coming through the gate in the morning. |
Phone: 01 8026741
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