Holy Family NS in Askea welcomes junior infants into first ever co-ed class
Junior infants Olivia, Amina and Yeva are pupils in Holy Family NS's first ever co ed class. Photo: Michael O'Rourke
THE corridors of Holy Family National School in Askea buzzed with excitement last week as 65 bright-eyed junior infants stepped through the doors wearing their brand-new uniforms, marking a historic milestone for the community.
The school is celebrating a “new chapter” as it welcomed its first intake of students since the amalgamation of the local boys’ and girls’ schools into one co-educational institution. The transformation represents the culmination of years of community discussion about creating a mixed school for Askea’s youngest learners.
“It’s such a new chapter and it’s combining the best of two great schools into one. And there’s a proud tradition here in Askea with both schools, so it’s really exciting now to join them both together,” said principal Máiréad Mullally.
The integration extends beyond just bringing students together under one roof. A thoughtfully designed new tracksuit uniform and crest now represent the merged identity, incorporating the maroon and green colours that previously distinguished the two separate schools.
“The girls would’ve worn green traditionally, and the boys would’ve worn maroon, so the new crest has both,” Ms Mullally explained.
The 65 junior infants have adapted remarkably well to their new environment, according to Ms Mullally. “Just seeing all the new infants starting in the new uniform - they look wonderful, and they’ve settled really well,” she noted.
While the youngest students are leading the way into this co-educational future, the full integration will be a gradual process. The school expects it will take a few years before all classes become mixed.
“It will take approximately three years before the whole school will be mixed. It’s the senior classes at the moment that’ll finish out as boys only and girls only classes, the others will mix,” Ms Mullally explained.
As the school community looks ahead to this new era, Ms Mullally expressed her optimism for the journey ahead. “It’s all going well so far and long may it continue... it’s a great time to be part of the school.”
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