In Pictures: Students in high spirits as schools re-open around the county

Five and a half months since closing their doors last March, primary school students from around the country went back to the classrooms today.

It was no small achievement from school principals, boards of management and teachers to arrive at this day – a back to school Autumn day like none before.

All over Laois, parents packed lunch boxes and school bags. Uniforms were organised. Collection and drop off duties arranged. This was a big day.

And not just for the Junior Infants of 2020-21, who were starting their first day in school, their first day of what will more than likely be a long number of happy years in the education system.

For all the rest of the returning students it was like a first day all over again.

In a ‘normal’ year, LaoisToday would have sent a photographer to numerous schools around the county to capture the occasion.

It’s anything but a normal year, however, so we instead asked parents to send their photos to us.

And from Killanure in Camross to St Fiacc’s in Graiguecullen, the Gaelscoil in Portlaoise to St Colman’s in Stradbally, photos were coming in to us thick and fast all morning.

With other schools returning over the rest of the week, we’d ask parents to send us their photos too.

It’s a big day for all concerned so we’re only more than happy to mark the occasion.

You can check out a selection of photos below.