My Primary School Memories By Róisín O’Neill

Junior Infants:
I started school in August 2012, I was four and a half years old. I was excited
and nervous at the same time. I was the first child to go to school in my family.
My teacher was Mrs. Geraldine Lyons. I don’t remember much from junior
infants but I’m sure it was a fun year.

Senior Infants:
In senior infants Ms. Byrne was my teacher. I remember we went on a school
tour to a pet farm and we saw loads of animals and I remember feeding a few.
I also remember there were a few bouncy castles and obstacle courses too. It
was a great time.

First class:
In first class Ms. Byrne was my teacher again, this year [2015] my sister Ailish
started school. I remember my grandparents coming down from Galway city
that year to visit Ailish the morning before we went to school.

Second class:
This year, Mr. Tevenan was my teacher. For most of second class I was
preparing for my First Holy Communion. I made my communion on the 22 nd on
May 2016. I woke up very excited and I wasn’t nervous because we had
practiced everything a few weeks before. My “job” was to sing on the altar
with Aoibhinn, Éadaoin, and Tracey. After the church, I celebrated with my
family at my house.

Third class:
In third class Mr.Tevenan was my teacher again. This year my other sister
Dearbhla started school. My grandparents came down again. We took photos
and then we went off to school. This year a boy called Noah joined. This year I
went to the Athenry school quiz with Tracey Finn and Séan. And we came 4th
place. It was a great experience.

Fourth class:
This year Mrs. Nancy Lyons taught me. I remember going out gardening in the
garden area and planting vegetables and plants such as potatoes, onions, and
herbs. I participated in cross -country running this year with Éadaoin in
Dangan. I remember my Nanny and Grandad coming as they lived nearby in
Salthill.

Fifth class:
This year Mrs. Lyons was teaching me again. I remember half the class stayed
with Mrs. Lyons and the other half went up to Ms. Finnegan’s room. I
remember an Irish inspector was coming so we had to do a lot of Irish that
year. That year I came second in the Glenamaddy ploughing art competition. I
also got through again to the Athenry quiz, with Casey, Tracey and Frankie, this
year we came 3rd.

Sixth class:
This year Ms. Finnegan taught me. I made my confirmation on February 29 th. . I
chose the name Grace. We went to the Ard Ri Hotel in Tuam with my cousins
Lorna and Ava and their cousin Conor who also made his confirmation. We
were 7 months into the school year and then a deadly virus called corona virus
came and the Government had to close down shops, restaurants, schools,
basically everything around the world. Sadly, due to corona virus/ Covid 19 we
will not get to finish the school year in school, but at home. I remember
leaving school on the 12th of March and everyone was delighted with the news
that the school was to shut for 2 weeks!!!!! No one had ever imagined what
was ahead of us with the lockdown! The end of 6th class is always fun, Every
year the class do lots of fun activities eg. Signing shirts, tie dye, school tour,
end of year mass etc. but we will not be able to do any of these activities due
to the virus, schools being closed and social distancing ☹
The Government has now lifted some of the restrictions and life is slowly
getting back to a new normal, but we still cannot return to school until
September.
But over all my primary school years have been fantastic. I am looking forward
to going into first year in Glenamaddy in September, but I am a little nervous
too.
By Róisín O’Neill x