To Donna Collenette St. Andrew’s Primary is much more than a school, it’s part of her extended family and has been there to help her and her loved ones through tragic times.
Donna’s eldest son Kyle (now 18) started at school in September 1999. He fell victim to changes made to catchment areas at the time and was expecting to go to Castel school with his friends. But, the teaching and support staff at St. Andrew’s went out of their way to ensure he settled in. The next year is brother Nathan joined him at the school. Nathan had turned 4 only days before starting school and again, it was the dedication and understanding of the staff that helped him adjust and learn at his own pace.
The next event that the school helped them through was devastating. In March 2002 Nathan and Kyle’s little brother died tragically aged just twelve weeks. The boys were in years 1 and 2 and the Doctor at the time thought that Brandon had picked up a virus from Kyle that had seen him sent home from school.
In Donna’s own words the staff at the school were amazing. She can fill you in on the details but here is some of what she told me, “They offered us support, put us in touch with people who could help like the Sunflower trust and supported the boys hugely and relayed anything they felt was important that the boys had said during the school day so we could gauge how they were coping. We were overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness which considering we’d only been at the school a relatively short time was very unexpected. They arranged cards and flowers to be sent from the staff and parents and when we held his funeral (at St A church) they ensured that the school was represented. Obviously we had support from family and friends in a huge way too but the school really made a huge difference and helped make sure our boys were ok at all times.”
Donna also told me how the school helped support her and the children when she had to spend 3 weeks away looking after her father.
But on top of the fantastic pastoral care the school offers she notes that the teachers have always helped get the max out of the children.
For example one of Donna’s daughters finds maths difficult so they have been, and still are, helping to expand her learning there.
For Donna losing the connection with the school would be a devastating blow.
She said, “If the school closed then it would be like a death. St. Andrew’s has been a huge part of our daily life for so long we would really grieve. It’s all my children have ever known since they were tiny and to be honest it terrifies me to think of having to start somewhere new. I’ve made some amazing friends through school, many will be lifelong friends and while I know we’d stay in touch etc it would be like severing a limb.”