Trades Week
What path or profession we will follow is a decision that each and every one of us must make. Such decisions are life defining and therefore deserve due consideration.
We in Cregmore National School believe that young people need to be informed about the variety of careers, trades and professions that are available to them and that we can play a valuable role by providing them with the resources of relevant knowledge and information early in their school life.. By doing so,we hope that our pupils may be guided and/or influenced even if only subconsciously to start preparing to choose their own career,not solely dictated by a “points system” but based on what they would like and that will give them joy, fulfilment and success..To this end we have committed to organising a Trades and Professions Week annually, our intention being to invite a variety of professions to address the pupils of Rang 4, 5 and 6 and to answer relevant questions posed by the pupils.
Our very first Trades and Professions Week 2020 took place during the week of Monday February 3rd to Friday February 7th 2020. This initiative was inspired by the impact of Enda Carroll’s chance visit . Enda is a past pupil who is now a very successful businessman. In his conversation with Rang 4 he outlined his own exciting journey, which started with leaving school to work with horses, under the guidance of some of the best known personnel in the showjumping business, including Cian O Connor which has culminated with his purchasing Ashford Farm in Belgium, where he now breeds, buys, breaks and sells some of the leading show-jumping horses throughout the world. The children were enthralled by Enda’s life story and inspired by his success. His experience emphasised for them the importance of choosing a career motivated by interest and passion. It also dealt with the role of risk taking,and the importance of loyalty to clients, of family support and last but not least of hard work and commitment.
Following on from Enda’s visit we started to write to a number of people of varying professions whom we thought may be willing to visit our school. We received an incredible response and their contribution has made our first Trades and Professions Week 2020 an amazing success. The children really enjoyed each visitor’s life story.Their enthusiasm throughout the week was palpable and memorable.
We would very much acknowledge the kindness and generous participation of the following Deputy Noel Grealish TD (Businessman and politician), Fr. Declan Lohan (curate of Renmore Parish). Tom Jinks (banking), Kieran Faherty (Electrician ), Ciaran McCarthy (Garda), Paddy McNamara (army), Ann Kennedy (district nurse), Ronnie Walsh (carpenter) Colm Kennelly, (pharmacist) Kieran Coyle, (Physiotherapist), Aine Hunt (legal secretary), Ronnie Ward (plumber/Physio), Shane Collins (electrician), Martin McCarthy (dentist), Christy Kearns (welder), Stephen Mullins (plasterer), Gabriel Leica (graphic designer), Inagh Dempsey (sales representative and business owner), Aisling Moran (medical device scientist), Jason Flynn and Roisin ( Galway hurler, gym owner and personal trainers), Eleanor Winters (nutritionist), Sinead Curran (paediatric nurse), Grace Conlon and members of Oranmore Garda Station (Garda sergeant), Majella Casey, (seamstress and fashion designer).