It was another great morning at St Joseph's NS in Halverstown when teachers, children and parents stepped it out for their annual walk from Old Kilcullen Round Tower,
writes Brian Byrne.
But this time there was more to the event. Before eating the traditional breakfast afterwoards, cooked by the Sixth Class students, two important flags were raised — the Active Schools Flag, awarded for interaction with sports and other groups in the area, and the Green Flag for looking after the environment.
The Active School Flag was raised by Edward O'Neill, who was one of the first students registered in the school when it opened first. The Green Flag was raised by Mary Domican, school secretary, who looked after organisation of the environment effort.
It's the eighth year that the pupils of St Joseph's have raised funds for children-based charities with the breakfast, for which food is supplied by a number of sponsors. This year's beneficiary is Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland — a national charity providing highly trained assistance dogs for children with autism and their families. The dogs are specially trained to provide safety, independence and companionship to children who would otherwise live in a very isolated world.
