St Vincent’s toast Mary after her Breakfast Club success

A NORTHSIDE school toasted one of their volunteers recently when she won an award for her excellent work.    

Mary Hynes won the Breakfast Club Hero award for her outstanding contribution to St Vincent’s Girls’ National School.

Ms Hynes, along with a selection of students and teachers, represented the north inner city school at the Kellogg’s Breakfast Club awards which were held in Buswell’s Hotel, Dublin.

They were presented with a prize of €600 and a month’s supply of breakfast cereal for their club in recognition of their standout achievements.

Ms Hynes was chosen from entries from breakfast clubs the length and breadth of the country. Kellogg’s launched the awards in September, to raise awareness of the importance of breakfast clubs and also reward their great work within Irish schools and communities. 

Ms Hynes was selected as this year’s Breakfast Club Hero due to her remarkable commitment and ongoing dedication to the school’s club.

Margaret O’Connor, St Vincent’s Girls’ National School’s Breakfast Club coordinator, said: “Mary greets every child with a smile and a warm welcome every morning. She never takes a day off, even when she is unwell. 

“It is Mary who ensures the smooth running of the Breakfast Club every morning. 

“We are delighted that her hard work has been recognised as she is a wonderful asset to our school.”

Ms O’Connor said the prize money will help the club and they are looking forward to spending it on resources such as cutlery and maybe even a new toaster. 

“We’d also love to treat Mary to a day-off and send her somewhere nice and have someone make her breakfast for a change,” she added.  

Meanwhiile, Holy Trinity Senior School in Donaghmede won Best Breakfast Club of the Year in Leinster.

Students, teachers and volunteers involved in the Trinity Am Morning Club were recognised for their positive contribution to a healthy school environment at the inaugural Breakfast Club Awards. 

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection Kevin Humphreys, who presented the awards, commended Kellogg’s for the initiative.  

“It promotes a healthy living lifestyle in our schools while providing outstanding benefits to the pupils, through the hard work and dedication of the people who run the Breakfast Clubs,” said Minister Humphreys. 

“The children benefit not only from having a breakfast every morning but also from social interaction. What better start to the day.  “I am particularly pleased that the Government has continued to provide funding for school meals which will increase to €42 million next year. 

“I would also like to acknowledge the involvement of local and voluntary community groups in delivering this invaluable service.”