Last year, Fórsa launched the first-ever SNA Appreciation Day. Over 3,750 schools took part and social media was flooded with photos of events from all across the country. The countdown has now begun as SNA Appreciation Day will return in just two months’ time, on Thursday 25th September.

Fórsa represents 14,000 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) who play a vital role in supporting students with additional needs and the school communities in which they work. With four active SNA branches nationally, Fórsa is committed to advocating for SNAs to be recognised as essential members of the school community. 

Members are encouraged to start planning their activities and to keep an eye out for packs that will arrive in schools in early September. 

SNA branch representatives are working over the summer to organise the packs, which will include recruitment posters that can be put up on staff notice boards highlighting membership benefits, posters explaining the competitions, and application forms so members can encourage their colleagues to sign up new members.

Also returning this year is the SNA Appreciation Day competition. Cornmarket and Dubco have renewed their kind donations from last year, which means once again there will be eight 1,000-euro prizes up for grabs. 

Prizes will go to one lucky school and one lucky SNA in each of Fórsa’s four SNA branch regions: Connaught/Ulster, Munster, North Dublin/North Leinster and South Dublin/South Leinster.

All schools are eligible for nomination, and anyone, school staff, parents, and SNAs themselves are encouraged to nominate their school. 

Only SNAs who are Fórsa members are eligible to win in the SNA draws, and the competition is open to new members, so get your colleagues to join now so they can be in with a chance to win!

The competition will open in early September as schools return from the summer break and will close on 19th September. More information on how to nominate your school or favourite SNA will be made available through our bulletins and social media closer to the date.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.