EMPLOYEES from a leading healthcare company joined staff and pupils recently to bring a weclome splash of colour to a local school.
Presentation Primary School George’s Hill, which recently celebrated its 250th anniversary, is renowned for its inclusivity and celebration of diversity, and Novartis Ireland staff were keen to help reflect this super community vibrancy from the outside in.
Ten volunteers from Novartis painted the outside railings of the school red, yellow, blue, and green as a part of their annual Community Partnership Day.
Novartis employees are encouraged to give back to local communities through a wide range of volunteering activities that are chosen by staff.
Aileen Finnegan, Principal of Presentation Primary School George’s Hill, said pupils, teachers and parents were very happy with the helping hand.
“We have been very fortunate to have the support from our community, staff and parents over the years and we are delighted to have volunteers of Novartis adding to that support today,” she said.
“Our community is very close and has had a long tradition of volunteering, and with the help of the Novartis volunteers today we can finish painting the outside railings of the school.
“It is so important to both the staff and pupils to have the railings painted in vibrant colours, to reflect the vibrant nature within the school – right now you wouldn’t even know it was a school from the outside!
“I would like to thank Novartis for helping us make this a reality and have our school be a beacon of vitality and colour in the local community.”
Presentation Primary School George’s Hill is one of the oldest catholic schools in Dublin city centre.
The school was also recently awarded the Green Flag for Water and the Digital Schools of Distinction Award.
Country President with Novartis Ireland, Loretto Callaghan, said the global healthcare company’s staff were more than happy to give back to the local community.
“This year, we wanted to give back to George’s Hill, a school that is really full of charisma and character,” she said.
“However, the outside appearance was not reflective of the excellent work being done by staff and families and the close community spirit within.
“We hope that our volunteers have helped to introduce a little of that vibrancy to the outside of the school today.”
This year, Novartis Ireland is contributing over 1,000 working hours by volunteering on projects such as; Cheeverstown, Special Olympics, Enable Ireland, COPD Patient Support, and Pieta House.