SNA branches from across Ireland have come together to organise Ireland’s first ever SNA Appreciation Day, which is due to take place on Thursday 26th September. 

All schools in the country have been issued with packs of materials so that they can take part in the activities. Two competitions will run, with prizes on offer both for schools and for SNAs.

Noreen O’Mahony, Chair of the Education division, announced the day by underlining the vital contribution SNAs make to their schools.  She said: “Special needs assistants make our schools special. We’re launching this new initiative to celebrate SNAs and build our membership. We want to get school communities talking about how important SNAs are and sign up new members to build our strength.”

To promote awareness of the day two competitions will run throughout September. The packs of materials issued to schools contain details on both competitions, promotional posters, and an SNA leave information chart to be displayed in a central staff location. You can download the poster here and the leave chart here. 

A national competition will offer a prize of school materials for four schools, one from each province of a value of €1000.  All members of the school community are eligible to enter the draw, and the more entries submitted from a school, the greater chance that school has of winning the €1000 prize.

SNA members of Fórsa are also eligible to be included in a separate €1000 draw, with one winner to be selected per province. Any SNAs not yet members of Fórsa are also eligible to enter the draw if they join Fórsa by the 20th September. 

The closing date for entries to both draws is 5pm on Monday 23rd September and presentations will be made on SNA Appreciation Day.

Noreen added: “We’re thrilled our union colleagues in the School Secretaries branch have offered to help us promote the first ever SNA Appreciation Day. Every day in schools across Ireland staff show up to support students. SNA Appreciation Day is a way to highlight that support and celebrate the solidarity at the heart of school communities.” 

To enter the competitions and #ThankOurSNAs click here.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.