We were delighted to welcome Josepha Madigan TD, Minister for Special Education and Inclusion and Senator Garret Ahearn to our school last Friday. Minister Madigan was invited to our school by Senator Ahearn following the awareness raised by our 6th class pupil Cara Darmody to the nationwide issue of the lack of proper services afforded to those special needs pupils who need help the most. We were also joined by Cara’s parents Mark and Noelle and our Parents’ Association Chairperson, Ailish Moran on the day.
Minister Madigan was greeted by a guard of honour formed by our 6th class pupils and then given a tour of the school by Cara and Mia. The girls did a wonderful job of showcasing our school and introducing the Minister to pupils and staff alike. She toured our sensory gym, special classes and 6th class room. She enjoyed conversations and lessons with many of the kids and even had her Maths skills tested by Cara during a demonstration of the level of Maths Cara is studying in order to sit the Leaving Cert Maths exam this coming June. We finished our tour in Mrs. Mee’s 6th class and Cara spoke to her classmates and directly to the Minsiter to reaffirm her message and that she will not be going away but very clearly demands change and an End to Disability Discrimination.
Cara presented Minister Madigan with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Ardfinnan School Community and wished her well as she journeyed to a number of other Tipperary schools.
We would also like to say how proud we are of and a big well done to Cara, she was awarded TIPP FM’s local hero yesterday live on air!! Check out TIPP FM link - https://tippfm.com/?s=cara+darmody
