Scoil Mhuire N.S. is organising a fundraiser to raise funds for an all-inclusive sensory playground in the green area behind the school. A playground will hugely benefit all the children in our school, including those with physical, intellectual and sensory difficulties and children with autism and allow them to excel, express themselves and develop to their full potential with their peers.

We are holding a sponsored virtual cycle for the pupils each day next week using Turbo Trainer Bikes. We will be cycling in the Cycling App SWIFT and will be posting regular updates on our school Facebook and new Instagram Page. Children in each class will take it in turns to cycle and are encouraged to wear their Christmas Jumper or Limerick Jersey. Pupils may wear their own clothes until the Christmas holidays to thank the children for following the Public Health and school protocols around Covid-19. Parents and children have been absolutely brilliant.

We will set up a Go Fund Me Page and the link to donate will put be on our Facebook Page. We encourage each family to get behind this fundraiser and ask their family and friends to make a donation. All donations, no matter how small will be very much appreciated. Our local Councillor Emmett O’ Brien has made a donation of €2,500 to get the fundraiser off to a good start and we are very grateful to him for this. We are also very grateful to Councillor Stephen Keary who has donated €1,000.

Ger Hickey of Creating and Maintaining Beautiful Gardens has volunteered to incorporate a Sensory Garden and a water feature into the green area, to enhance the children’s sensory experience and well- being. He has wonderful expertise in this area and has offered to cover all expenses associated with this project. We are humbled and so thankful to Ger for this.

There will also be a dedicated OT area where Special Education Teachers will work with children on specified Occupational Therapy programmes.

The playground will be a vital part of our school. There are important physical, social and cognitive benefits that come from unstructured play on a playground. A playground is one of the best opportunities for children to have fun and get fit and healthy at the same time. It also helps children to develop socially and emotionally and builds self- confidence and esteem. Free play encourages children to develop relationship building skills and conflict resolution skills in a fun safe environment.
Our target amount of money to finance the playground is €38,000 and to date we have raised €4884.36.

Kind regards,

Anne Lillis, Principal.