Proclamation Day in RETNS

In conjunction with schools throughout Ireland we held our Proclamation Day and Flag Raising on March 15^th. Our ceremony was a simple, student-led ceremony, during which the infants carried out flags of all the countries represented in our school community and fourth class students dressed as Irish people would have looked a century ago. Our National Flag was carried out by Michelle, Chairperson of the Student Council, and Carol, the first employee of our school.

Saoirse and Hannah opened the ceremony with a welcome and gave a brief introduction and explanation of why we were gathered:

Fáilte roimh go dti Rath Fearnain ag Foghlaim le Chéile ar an ocáid speisialta seo. Táimid anseo inniu chun ár mbratach naisiúnta a ardú agus cuimhneachán a dhéanamh ar Seactain na Casca céad bliain ó shin. Freisin táimid ag smaoineamh ar an fís atá ag na páisti sa scoil seo don tír.

Today, March 15^th, 2016, along with the rest of the country we are raising our National Flag, given to us by members of the National Defence Forces in November 2015. We will also share the visions of the students of RETNS for the future of Ireland.

To begin, Holly from sixth class read a section of the original proclamation read by Padraig Pearse 100 years ago. The particular section was chosen by the students because it represents the ethos of our school.

Maryam, Jarvis, Calum, Megan, Ellen and Sorcha from sixth class then read our school proclamation RETNS Proclamation for a New Generation that contains our hopes for the future of Ireland.

Saoirse and Hannah continued the ceremony by announcing that Carol, who was the first employee of the school, and Michelle, chairperson of the student council, would raise our National Flag, helped by caretaker Dennis. The children stood and faced the flag as it was raised.

We continued by singing Amhrán na bhFiann agus Cúig Bliain is Fiche ag Fás, the song celebrating our 25^th anniversary.

Saoirse and Hannah concluded the ceremony by thanking everyone in Irish and wishing our school another successful and happy 25 years.