School is back – but not as we knew it

After a staggering 170 days, most children and teenagers returned to school this week with teachers and second level students donning face shields and masks while parents had to say their farewells while standing at the gates.

Children were getting used to remaining in their ‘pods’ – in some cases separated from friends – while secondary students had to adjust to being stationary in their base rooms instead of racing between classes and socialising with mates along the corridors.

But the overwhelming feeling was of relief to be back among peers and back to a kind of reality outside of home.

Ballindereen National School returned last Friday, with parents armed with information on all the different entrances that each class group must now use to avoid mixing, reveals principal Barry Quinn.

The junior infants starting their first day at school came in one by one into the classroom accompanied by the Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) 15 minutes after the other pupils.

“I couldn’t believe how smoothly it went really. It’s the first year ever we haven’t had tears,” he exclaimed.

“Normally they’d be allowed to play in the yard for a half hour before classes start but they went straight to their classrooms so I have to say it’s been much calmer in the mornings – it’s worked very well.

“We’ve the yard divided into eight separate sections, they’ve loads of space to play but there’s no mixing between classes.”

The principal describes the communication from the Department of Education as “shocking” giving them little time to complete induction training or erect information posters. Companies given the national contracts to provide equipment were delayed in issuing it as they were overwhelmed.

See full coverage – and first day at school photos – in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can buy a digital copy. See details here on www/connachttribune.ie