‘Two schools, one community’

By Anna Powell

CBS Primary School and St Joseph's CBS Secondary School held a launch for their Christmas Walkathon in the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh last Thursday evening. Their walkathon, which will take place on Friday, December 11, from 8am to 8pm, will aim to raise funds for a new astro pitch and the development of a monastery building.

The official launch of the event began with a charming performance from Third Class pupils from CBS Primary School which was then followed by a performance of traditional music from the students of St Joseph's CBS Secondary School.

Charming Musical Performance

“We are walking for new rooms,” sang the youngsters to the large crowd that attended the launch of the fundraiser. “So put on your boots, and your shoes, and come join in the fun,” they cheered.

Following their performance which thoroughly entertained the crowd, Principal of CBS Primary School, William Greene, praised the pupils for their creative lyrics in the song and welcomed everyone to their launch night for their walkathon. Mr Greene went on to highlight how this collaborative project would be a “significant fundraiser” for both schools and spoke about how closely linked the two schools are in the community, pointing out how the two schools not only share a campus, but they also share families across the two schools and the wider community.

Mr Greene spoke fondly of the success of the primary school over the past five years and highlighted how the primary school is now a co-educational facility which will be fully co-educational across all classes in two years’ time. He also shared that the proceeds of this fundraiser will go towards the development of a new astro pitch for the primary school.

To continue developing facilities

Principal of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Karen O’Donnell, highlighted her delight in how the two schools were working on their joint fundraising venture and spoke about the growth of the school over the past number of years.

Ms O’Donnell highlighted how the school has been gifted the monastery and that the money fundraised from this walkathon will be used to develop this building and transform it from a residential building into an educational facility. The school plans to make the monastery into a student wellbeing centre for the school community.

Ms O’Donnell highlighted that while schools do receive some state supports, a lot of things for the school community are funded through fundraising efforts and thanked members of the community for their ongoing support.

Details for the Walkathon

This joint initiative by both schools will take place on Friday, December 11, from 8am to 8pm. As explained by Principal Green on the night, pupils and staff will walk throughout the day with the school then inviting members of the local community to walk for an hour from 4 to 8pm. It was also pointed out that their will be food and festive treats provided on the day as well.

Principal O’Donnell acknowledged the ongoing support from their community who rally behind both schools and expressed her gratitude for this ongoing support. She also expressed how they want to make their fundraiser a positive event for students and the community.

Donations for this fundraiser will be collected through an online platform, and more information can be found on both schools' social media pages.

As part of their fundraiser, the schools are looking for ’12 Special Sponsors’ of the event who will each sponsor an hour each of the event. Any businesses interested in sponsoring the event, are encouraged to make contact with either school.