Students support local charities through Sports Day

Sixth year students from St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Castleisland presenting a cheque for €1063.47 to Sarah Flynn of Glebe Lodge, Castleisland. Front  from left: Brian Leonard, Kevin O’Connor, Sarah Flynn, Jack McAuliffe and Colin McCarthy. Middle row from left: Josh Kerin, Shane O’Donoghue, Conor O’Shea, Thomas McNally, Shane McGaley and John O’Sullivan, teacher. Back from left: Timothy Mitchell, Michael Cremins, Sean O’Donoghue, Kieran Griffin, Cian Mangan, Ryan Prendiville and Joe Crowley.
Sixth year students from St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Castleisland presenting a cheque for €1063.47 to Sarah Flynn of Glebe Lodge, Castleisland. Front from left: Brian Leonard, Kevin O’Connor, Sarah Flynn, Jack McAuliffe and Colin McCarthy. Middle row from left: Josh Kerin, Shane O’Donoghue, Conor O’Shea, Thomas McNally, Shane McGaley and John O’Sullivan, teacher. Back from left: Timothy Mitchell, Michael Cremins, Sean O’Donoghue, Kieran Griffin, Cian Mangan, Ryan Prendiville and Joe Crowley.

The sixth year students of St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Castleisland continue their work in supporting locally based charities and services by donating the proceeds of their annual ‘all school’ sports day to Glebe Lodge, Castleisland. The amount donated this year was €1,063.47.
Glebe Lodge is a purpose built facility in Castleisland for persons with high dependency and eldercare needs, with respite care also available. Glebe Lodge is part of The Kerry Parents and Friends Association.
The ‘all school’ sports day is now an annual event in the school and each year the monies raised are donated to various charities and services. Some of the charities which have benefited from the students’ efforts over the years include: Castleisland Day Care Centre; Bumbleance; Recovery Haven and Build for Life – Cystic Fibrosis.
The school, along with the Presentation Convent as part of their Joint Transition Year work closely with Glebe Lodge and Castleisland Day Care Centre and these establishments provide valuable work experience for the students.
“The sports day which is held at the start of the school year is fully organised and run by the sixth year students as part of their LCVP programme providing them with real life experiences and opportunities to develop their organisational skills and have a sense of responsibility,” said Principal Denis O’Donovan.
“It also creates an awareness of the work that is being done in their community in helping others and the need to support this work. The sports day provides an opportunity for the new, first year class to integrate into the school and a chance for staff and students to enjoy a day outside the classroom. A huge thank you to the parents, students, staff and local community who help make this venture a huge success,” Mr. O’Donovan concluded.