In the spirit of festive goodwill, an Armagh primary school has announced they will be covering the cost of Christmas dinners for all its pupils this year.
St Patrick’s Primary School – situated on the Loughgall Road – have once again written to parents to announce this simple, but meaningful gesture, having done the same last year.
In a notice sent out this week, the school said: “Throughout 2023, our pupils, parents and wider school community have shown wonderful generosity when contributing towards our school’s charitable endeavours, as you always do.
“Time and time again, you have shown that we have your support in all that we do, and we will be counting on that charitable support again throughout Advent.
“As a token of appreciation and thanks for your continued support during a time when the cost of living has rocketed for all families, St. Patrick’s will be covering the cost of ALL school Christmas dinners this year.
“Any child in the school who wants a Christmas dinner will receive one, free.”
In the letter sent out to parents, school principal, Sean McKinley, explained that the dinners would be provided on Wednesday, December 13 and Thursday, December 14.
He continued: “Last year, due to access to specific funding streams, school was able to offer each pupil a Christmas dinner – free of charge. At a recent meeting of the Board of Governors, this provision last year was discussed and just how well it was received by parents.
“The decision was then taken to offer the same provision this year again. We are all acutely aware of the impact that ‘cost of living’ requirements has had on ALL families and given the fact that, as a school, we will be calling on our families to try and support us with our own charitable endeavours, it is a simple token of appreciation and thanks.”
