Rhys hasn’t missed a single day at school, despite major challenges

A PRIMARY school pupil is about to graduate from Ballinbranna NS without missing a single day out, despite huge challenges that he and his family have been through.

Rhys O’Toole (12) will leave his primary school with a perfect school attendance record as he hasn’t missed a single day out of the eight years that he’s been there.

Having a perfect school attendance record is a great achievement in itself, but it’s even more remarkable in Rhys’s case because his little sister Amira (6) and his mother Caroline were involved in a near-fatal car accident in November 2018. Amira, then just a baby aged 14 months' old, and Caroine were travelling in the family car between Arles and Stradbally when they were crashed into by a drink-driver. The driver was killed and Caroline sustained serious injuries to one side of her body. Amira suffered catastrophic injuries that left her paralysed and she spent months fighting for her life in Temple Street Hospital and Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Dublin.

The plucky little girl became known as Princess Amira because that’s her pet name at home and a fundraiser was set up in her name to help the family with the burgeoning costs of having a child in hospital.

When Caroline was well enough, she stayed by Amira’s side, with Rhys staying at home or with friends for months while his baby sister battled for her life.

“Rhys went from Billy to Jack after the accident. School was his safe place, where he didn’t have to worry about his little sister. Routine is so important and so is education, so no matter where he was staying, it was a priority to get Rhys to school,” said Caroline.

For months, little Amira was dangerously sick and needed the expert care of the paediatric doctors and nurses in Temple Street and Crumlin. It was hard for all the family, including Rhys, because during the pandemic lockdowns it meant that he couldn’t visit his sister. Eventually, Amira was allowed home in May 2022 and though she still needs a lot of care, she’s doing very well and is doted on by Rhys.

“Amira is going into first class in September and she loves going to school, even though she does miss days because of her hospital appointments. Rhys is going to Knockbeg College for his secondary school and he’s really looking forward to it. He loves school and he really loved his time in Ballinabranna, especially being with his friends and teachers,” continued Caroline.

“Well done, Rhys. Congratulations on not missing a single day in eight years. We are very proud of you,” said his class teacher Mr Mahon, while principal Ms McWey said: “Congratulations to Rhys on his achievement. We are very proud of him and wish him all the best in secondary school.”