Home News Community In Pictures: Laois parents come together to brighten their teacher’s day

In Pictures: Laois parents come together to brighten their teacher’s day

Sinead Walsh and Ms Spencer

This is a lovely gesture.

Parents at a Laois secondary school have come together with a novel idea to give back to teachers who have given some much to their children over the last year.

Portlaoise College teachers have been receiving special gifts on behalf of the Parent’s Council today.

Chairperson of the group, Sinead Walsh, explained how she thought of the idea in a bid to brighten their day in the midst of all the negativity that surrounds us due to Covid-19.

So after consultation with members and all parents in the school – money was raised and it was agree that a gift would be given to four teachers each week to say a simple ‘thank you’.

According to Sinead, teachers in the school have gone above and beyond to help students throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – but inside school and out – and this is just a small way of showing appreciation.

She said: “I was fed up with all the bad news and seeing people on social media fighting with each other.

“The last straw was people being so negative towards teachers and I thought ‘that’s it, I want to show our teachers that we support them and we think they are doing a great job under very hard circumstances’.

“So I asked the members of the council could we buy some small gifts and run a draw each week between now and Christmas and present a teacher with a gift.

“The members thought it was a great idea so I then put it to the parents and they too thought it was great.

“So with ourselves and some parents donating a few euro each, we where able to purchase enough gifts to present four teachers each week with a gift of gratitude and thanks.

“The teachers in Portlaoise College have been fantastic all through this pandemic going above and beyond and we ate just delighted to be able to show them our thanks in a small way and hopefully add a smile to their day.”

Sinead Walsh and Mr Kelly
Sinead Walsh and Mr O’Neill
Sinead Walsh and Ms Spencer
Sinead Walsh and Mr McEvoy

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