Emma Flynn - Special Educational Teacher (SET)
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.  During these sessions, we engage in intensive teaching and learning of comprehension strategies. We use the Building Bridges literacy programme to support this as the children love listening to big book stories and learning comprehension strategies in this way is fun and accessible to all. It sparks great discussions too as the children are exposed to a wide range of texts. 
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.
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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!

Winifred Morrin (known as Winnie or Win in School) - Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
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 children 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 children became 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 children. 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, we 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 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. ​​

Karen Dunne - Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
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. 
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In 2009 I started working in St Peter’s N.S, Dunboyne and I have been here 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.

Ger McGuinness - Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
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 an 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!

Suzanne Carroll - Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
My name is Suzanne Carroll and I am so delighted to be joining the team at St Peter's National School Dunboyne. After a long and varied career and many years at home rearing my two girls I decided to retrain as an SNA in 2020. The first school I subbed in was St Peter's and I knew from the start that it was a special place. It was so warm and friendly and everyone knew every child's name which was lovely.  I was always delighted to to be asked to come back and even more delighted to be given an opportunity to join the team on a full time basis. 

This is a really exciting time for the school with lots of new beginnings and I am very much looking forward to seeing all the faces, old and new alike. I love to see a child learn and grow a in a safe happy environment and I know that every day will be a learning one for me too. Bring on the adventure!

Derval McGlynn - Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
My name is Derval and I'm an SNA. I have a background in Biology. While rearing my children, and having the pleasure of meeting a very special little girl who had special needs, I decided I'd love to change career and so I did!
I was born and reared in Dublin 15 and I still live in the area to this day. I have had the pleasure of working in Scoill Mhuire, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 and St Brigid's SGNS, Finglas, Dublin 11, along with subbing in various schools.
I have mainly worked in ASD units and have absolutely loved it. It is an absolute pleasure to get up every morning and head into work to meet the children and staff.
I am really looking forward to starting in St Peters's at this very exciting time with opening of the two new classes, Sonas agues Spraoi, and the growing staff members. The idea of working in a small school is uplifting as I know I'll be able to get to know all the students really well!

Avril Smyth-O'Brien - Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
My name is Avril Smyth-O’Brien. I ran my own small pre-school in Dunboyne for 11 years, before working as a substitute Special Needs Assistant (SNA) in a number of schools in and around the Dunboyne area. I was a substitute SNA on a number of occasions in St. Peters National School, Dunboyne and was delighted to be offered a full-time SNA position with them this year. I first obtained a QQI Level 5 Award in Childcare and Education in 2011, followed by a QQI Level 6 Major Award in 2016. I also hold a number of other lower level qualifications directly related to early childhood education and care. I am a mother of 5 children, and I have lived in Dunboyne with my husband and family for over 21 years. I was also a scout leader for over 12 years and have always enjoyed working and looking after children, and helping them to grow in confidence and reach their full potential. In my spare time, I enjoy my garden and spend much of my time in the outdoors (when the Irish weather permits) and I love tending to all our pets including dogs, cats, cockatiels and rescue hens!