First day back at Brannoxtown school

With the ups and downs of the last 12 months behind it, Brannoxtown Community National School is open today, and the first five children from six who are enrolled were welcomed by the principal, Dr Sarah Fitzpatrick, writes Brian Byrne.

"It has been a hectic two weeks, but we're open," she told the Diary this morning. "And though it is a small number to start with, we have promises from parents and I believe the story will be quite improved from even mid-term."

The pupils who started this morning were previously in a variety of other schools, including Halverstown NS and the Kildare Steiner School, and one has come from as far away as Brazil.

For the moment, all pupils will work in the one room of the four-room school building opened in 2013, but as soon as the other promised students arrive, a second classroom will become the Junior Room.

As I left, Sarah was saying to her first day back group "One nice thing about a small school is that we can do all sorts of crazy things ..."

Sounds like it's going to be fun.

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