Northern Ireland

Role of grandparents celebrated at schools in NI

Catherine Downey with grandson Conor during Grandparents' Day in St John the Baptist PS. Picture by Hugh Russell
Catherine Downey with grandson Conor during Grandparents' Day in St John the Baptist PS. Picture by Hugh Russell Catherine Downey with grandson Conor during Grandparents' Day in St John the Baptist PS. Picture by Hugh Russell

THE "desire and interest" of grandparents to be a central part of the lives of their grandchildren was in evidence as hundreds visited a primary school on the outskirts of west Belfast.

Like many schools across the north, St John the Baptist Primary School marked Grandparents' Day in person - the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event, which is part of Catholic Schools' Week, saw more than 300 grandparents attend Mass before they visited the school to see what their grandchildren are learning in class.

Principal Chris Donnelly said: "It is always a popular event in the school calendar, and on this first occasion post-Covid that we have been able to hold the event, grandparents have been particularly eager to take up the offer, with well over 300 sending in written confirmation of an intention to attend.

"One of the cruellest consequences of the pandemic, lockdown and the fears and anxieties triggered by the traumatic era we are still emerging from was the enforced separation of grandparents from their grandchildren.

"The anticipated attendance for Grandparents' Day reflects that desire and interest to once again be a central part of the kids' lives and to cherish experiences that were denied for a period of years.

"The place of the family always forms a special part of Catholic Schools' Week, and I think it is particularly important to acknowledge and cherish the role played by grandparents in the formation and development of our children. "