Students and staff opened the school doors wide and warmly welcomed Education Minister Norma Foley in to Killarney Community College on Friday.

DONATIONS: Wiktoria Grzesiak shows Minister for Education Norma Foley the items Killarney Community College collected for the people of Ukraine. Pictured from l-r were: Wiktoria Grzesiak Minister Norma Foley Chairperson at KCC Marie Moloney and Vice Principal Eilish O'Leary. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

CLASS TIME: No surprise that English was a classroom to visit at Killarney Community College by the Minister for Education Norma Foley where she was inspired by many student performances and gifted with a poem. From l-r were: Vice Principal Eilish O'Leary student Aoibhinn McCrank Minister Norma Foley English Teacher Brian O'Reilly and Chairperson Marie Moloney. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

WELCOME: Vice Principal Eilish O'Leary and Chairperson Marie Moloney welcome Minister Norma Foley to Killarney Community College on Friday afternoon. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

GIFT: Minister Foley is gifted a hand crafted pen at Killarney Community College. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

WORK IN PROGRESS: Minister Norma Foley is intrigued to know the final result of Leaving Cert student Emma Aherne's 'floor lamp' wood work project at Killarney Community College. Eager to see the finale Minister Foley asks Emma to tweet the finished floor lamp on completion. Pictured from l-r were: Vice Principal Eilish O'Leary Chairperson Marie Moloney Minister Norma Foley and Leaving Cert Student Emma Aherne. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

On arrival the Minister was greeted by management and a group of students from different year groups who presented her with a bunch of spring daffodils and a custom made engraved wooden pen. She was then treated to a song, 'An Irish Blessing' from the school choir accompanied by Ms Hughes on piano.

The Minister then moved down to the English room where she met with mainly Second Year students.

Students asked the Minister questions about her favourite texts which she taught in school and tips about how to get into reading.

Three students read self-penned stories, poems and a reading of the poem 'Begin', written by Kerry poet Brendan Kennelly which celebrates human resilience and hope in such uncertain times.

Once again she was gracious with her time and praised the students for their efforts. She received a copy of the poem 'Begin' and was encouraged to stick it up on the fridge in the Dáil!

The Minister then met with one of Ireland's only school Fishing Club’s and the students were surprised about her knowledge and level of interest she showed in the subject.

The schools TYs showcased all the great work they have being doing in creating sensory books for St Francis Special School in Beaufort and the students were very grateful for all the Minister's positive feedback.

A quick trip to the art room and a check in on a live construction studies class finished her tour of the school. She left the school in a haze of spring sunshine accompanied by music from the schools trad group.

“It was lovely that the Minister acknowledged all the hard work being done by both students and staff," Principal Stella Loughnane said. 

"She was extremely generous with her time and kind words about our school community.”

Third year student Aoibhinn McCrank said that she "never thought" she’d read for the Minister of Education. 

"She was so nice afterwards, it was like talking to one of my teachers. Her level of knowledge about English was very impressive and she gave us some very useful tips going forward.”