Official Opening of our Sensory Corridor
A BIG thank you to all our Student Council members on all their fantastic ideas to make the school a happier place to be.
3, 2, 1...and it's open!!!
L-R: Laura Bouzzah (Deputy Principal), June Gray (Chairperson B.O.M), Veronica Heffernan (Assistant Principal)
Over the last few months, we here at SS Peter and Paul JNS have been busy creating a sensory space that can be used and enjoyed by all of our students.
Sensory spaces can improve skills such as balance and hand-eye coordination, but they can also be used purely as a fun treat!
In order to achieve the ideal space that would benefit all our students, one of our talented teachers, Mrs Heffernan, together with our fantastic Student Council, brainstormed ideas. It was decided to transform a plain, white hallway into a jungle themed sensory corridor. Our Student Council, which is comprised of students from Junior Infants up to Second Class, came up with the idea and Mrs Heffernan immediately got to work to make it a reality. They wanted the area to become more colourful and child friendly so, firstly, our caretaker, Pshemeck, painted all the doors in bright, vibrant colours. This enables the children to easily identify the location of the various classrooms.
Sensory equipment was then added such as dome mirrors, a bubble lamp and fine motor wooden games.
Work then started on transforming the bare walls. We were extremely fortunate to have local artist Alison O Grady sketch and paint the jungle scene onto the walls, then both herself and Mrs Heffernan painted lots of jungle creatures to bring the scene to life.
The last task was to create a sensory pathway on the floor. We employed a local company "Retink Graphics" to print and install our design, which beautifully compliments our jungle themed walls. The sensory pathway incorporates a range of gross motor activities which enable the students to get moving whilst also having fun.
Once completed, we had an official opening on Monday 17th June. Representatives from the Local Council, Board of Management, Parents' Association, St Molagas', members of the Student Council and our own staff were all in attendance.The principal, Ms Whelan, thanked everyone for coming and thanked Mrs Heffernan and the Student Council for all their hard work.
The only thing left to do was for Mrs Heffernan to cut the ribbon, which she gladly did and welcomed everyone in to the Jungle to explore it for themselves!
We look forward to our new Sensory Corridor capturing the imaginations of all current and future students in the years ahead.
Ms Whelan (Principal) thanked all the staff for working so hard this year and officially opened the new corridor to everyone.
Mrs Heffernan together with student from SS Peter and Paul JNS got ready to cut the ribbon!
L-R: Siobhan Whelan (Principal), Cllr Tony Murphy, Cllr Grainne Maguire, June Gray (Chairperson B.O.M), Veronica Heffernan (Assistant Principal).
Click on the video below to see the transformation of our
Sensory Corridor
Sensory Corridor