Limerick gets another ‘School of Sanctuary’
ST JOHN the Baptist BNS in Limerick city has just been granted its official status as “School of Sanctuary” - becoming the second primary school in Limerick city to do so.
The awarding of the status is an official recognition by schools of Sanctuary Ireland.
The school is located in the heart of Garryowen and strives to ensure that each child will reach their full potential in an environment which is responsive, celebratory, needs-led and inclusive.
“It (the award) attests to how schools of sanctuary symbolise and realise an inclusive, welcoming and safe space for all pupils and their families, especially newcomers who come from international, refugee and migrant communities and other ethnic minorities, including the Traveller community,” principal David Nicholas stated.
During their visit, members of the evaluation committee were given a tour of the resources within the school including a newly-built nurture room, sensory room, blue box room and ASD Class.
The SEN team, including SEN Leader, Sara Barry, and the TEAL Project Leader, Margaret Grace, gave an in-depth presentation on the nurture room and the benefits that it has on the children that attend.
Mr Nicholas added: "We've been working on the School of Sanctuary for over a year now. It was a fantastic opportunity to collate all of our initiatives that we've been working on over the years to create a warm, welcome, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. We will now continue to focus on our School of Sanctuary pillars of ‘action’, ‘learning’ and ‘sharing’ for years to come, hoping that the inclusive culture will be truly embedded within the school going forward.