This article is from page 80 of the 2009-12-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 80 JPG
SCHOOL is not the place young- sters usually expect to see Santa so it was a great treat for the pupils at St John’s National School in Cratloe when he turned up at their annual Christmas fair.
There was great excitement as the man himself stepped down with a sackful of presents.
“There was a fabulous atmos- phere,” said Parents Council Chair, Taly Crowe. “I think the adults were as excited as the children, jumping up and down and waving and cheer- ing as he arrived. It was brilliant.”
Of course, Santa’s reindeer have to rest up for their marathon efforts on the big night so local woman, Linda Gleeson volunteered the services of her horse and trap to get Santa to the school.”
The school has an annual fundrais- ing craft fair organised by the parents council, but this year they decided to go all out.
“We invited Santa, who very kind- ly turned up, and as well as the usual crafts, we made it more like a Christ- mas fair. Everyone chipped in and supported it,” said Taly.
Local businesses also chipped in with prizes for the raffle. “We had great support from the businesses here and in Sixmilebridge. Crowe’s supplied baked goods, we got fuel vouchers, we had a round of golf from Dromoland and Shannon; all the business people got on board and the whole community came together for it.”
A native of New York, living in Cratloe for the last two years, Taly said that the response to Santa and the Christmas fair is another exam- ple of the community spirit which constantly amazes her.
“Everyone worked very had to
make the day a success and it was just that. Santa’s grotto was all done up and it looked amazing.”
The school – like all schools – tries to supplement the money they get from the department with various fundraising efforts.
The main drive at present is to buy interactive whiteboards, which are replacing the old-fashioned black- boards.