Yesterday, Thursday 25th September, schools across the country rang with cheers and good wishes for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), marking the second annual SNA Appreciation Day. 

Social media was flooded with photos of smiling SNAs and students celebrating the day. SNAs were gifted with bouquets of flowers, heartfelt cards, and a tempting array of sweet treats and goodies. 

SNA Appreciation Day began last year as an initiative led by Fórsa’s SNA branches. It was intended to be a celebration of the invaluable work SNAs do, and their place as an integral part of the school community. 

Scoil Eoin Innshannon, Co. Cork.

Noreen O’Mahony has played a key role in the organisation and success of SNA Appreciation Day, both in her former role as chair of the education division and now as an assistant industrial officer.  

Noreen said: “I couldn’t be prouder of how SNA Appreciation Day has taken off. It just goes to show how much SNAs are valued by school communities and the children themselves.” 

She continued: “It’s not just about recognition; it’s also about letting people know why the work SNAs do is so important. For many parents SNAs would’ve been a rare sight when they went to school. So, the role of SNAs isn’t as clear for them as it is with teachers, secretaries, or caretakers.” 

Cherrywood Educate Together National School, Co. Dublin.

“When people know what an SNA’s does they can see how important the job is, especially for the children they support. Having that SNA support can be the difference between a child thriving or that child not fulfilling their potential. SNAs make our schools and our society a fairer and a better place.”  

Following his appearance at the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Education and Youth earlier this week, national secretary, Andy Pike said: “There is still a long way to go before we can say SNAs are receiving the respect and care they deserve. For one, the SNA Workforce Development Plan needs to be completed with haste, something we are working toward making happen.” 

“But it is fantastic to see how quickly SNA Appreciation Day is becoming an annual tradition in schools. They more than deserve to have a day where the whole school community can reflect on the incredible work they do,” he concluded. 

Killygordon National School, Co. Donegal.

Already a popular SNA Appreciation Day tradition, a prize draw once again saw thousands of applications from deserving schools and SNAs. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Dubco Credit Union and Cornmarket Insurance, prizes were presented to one school and one SNA in each of the SNA branch regions. The winners are as follows: 

SNA prizes

SNAs Connaught Ulster - Caroline Cresham, St. Anthonys Special School, Co. Mayo.

SNAs Munster - Patricia O'Keeffe, Holy Family Special School, Co. Cork.

SNAs North Dublin North Leinster - Deirdre Zaidan, St. Patricks Boys National School, Co. Dublin.

SNA South Dublin South Leinster Branch - Sarah Quigley, Emo National School, Co. Laois.

Caroline Cresham, St. Anthonys Special School, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

School prizes

SNAs Connaught Ulster - Myna National School, Co. Mayo.

SNAs Munster - Holy Well National School, Co. Cork.

SNAs North Dublin North Leinster - Hansfield Education Together Secondary School, Co. Dublin.

SNA South Dublin South Leinster Branch - St. Laurences National School, Co. Wicklow.

Hansfield Education Together Secondary School, Barnwell Road, Hansfield, Dublin.

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