CLEANING UP: Third Class Loreto NS pupil Martin Vila pictured with his father Marc Vila helping to clean up as part of a school project on Monday.

By Michelle Crean

It had been months since they saw each other – but local pupils got a chance to meet up on Monday morning – all in aid of their local community.

Although they socially distanced – they still had an opportunity to engage with each other – as they and their families joined Loreto National School teacher Pádraig O’Sullivan for a beach clean-up.

On a recent walk along the lake shore, Padraig noticed a great deal of litter strewn across a wide area of the National Park.

As a teacher of Second and Third Class in Loreto National School, he decided to use the online learning theme ‘Taking Care of Our Environment’ as the basis for his lessons this week.

He gave his class the opportunity, along with their families, to collect some of the litter along the lakeshore stretching from Flesk Valley Rowing Club all the way to Dundag beach.

As Monday was Phase 2 of easing of the lockdown restrictions, people could travel further and the families involved worked within their own group on their assigned section of beach so families didn't mix as to observe physical distancing, explained Principal Brian O’Sullivan.

“There was a wonderful response from the pupils and their families,” Brian said.
“On Monday morning, bags, gloves and litter pickers were provided and each family was assigned a section of the lakeshore to collect rubbish.”

Eight full bags of rubbish were collected in a short period of time, he added.

“Seán Forde, the park ranger, was delighted with the turnout and commended the children and their families for their great work. As online learning continues for all schools, it is fantastic to see pupils and their families out and about in our beautiful National Park working to make it a better place. Huge thanks to Pádraig for organising and to our pupils and their families for taking part.”