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Official
Opening of the School Extension
16th April 2007
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Our
new extension is now totally completed and was officially
opened on Monday 16th April at 1.45 p.m. by Mr. Dick Roche,
Minister for Environment.
The
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
and local T.D. Mr. Dick Roche opened the extension to St.
Joseph's National School, Templerainey.
The
Minister officially opened the state of the art extension
including nine classrooms, a computer room and resource
rooms that have transformed the historic National School
of Templerainey. The Minister stressed that this school
has served the local community very well since it opened
on the present site in 1942.
The
Minister said he was delighted to meet pupils, parents and
teachers. He congratulated the Chairperson of the Board
of Management Mick McEvoy and the other members of the Board
of Management on their achievements and dedication. He also
praised the work of the Principal and proud Kerryman Mick
O' Callaghan and his dedicated staff for their energy, enthusiasm
and dynamism.
"The
school has strong parental support, in particular, in relation
to helping to provide a state of the art and fully equipped
computer room and I note that the school was going from
strength to strength. This was evident in the fact that
the school now has 570 pupils as against 90 when it opened
in 1942," Minister Roche said.
"I
am particularly pleased to see the Green Flags proudly displayed
outside of the school. I am aware that the school were pioneers
in this regard," added . Minister Roche. He praised
the school's energetic involvement in recycling as well
as in water and energy conservation and the development
of very well produced and informative websites
The Minister paid tribute to the Builders and the Architects
for combining their skills in order to blend the old and
new buildings in such a way as to meet the needs of pupils,
parents and teachers now and in to the future.
Speech
by Mr. Michael O’Callaghan, Principal, St. Joseph’s
N.S.
Go
raibh mile maith agat, a Aire, as ucht an onóir a
bhronn tú orainn inniu, glacadh len ár gcuireadh,
an chuid seo dár dtionscnamh togála a oscailt
I dTeamphall Raighne inniu.
Cuireann sé áthas ó chroí orm
buíochas a ghabháil leat féin agus
leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta.
Thank
you Minister, distinguished guests, staff, past and present,
pupils of St. Joseph’s and friends.
We are pleased to have you here today to celebrate the official
opening of our school extension. This present phase of development
has been ongoing from its formative planning stage in 1997
to its official completion last February so, it is fitting
that on the 10th anniversary, we should be officially opening
it here today.
The school itself was established in 1942 and this year
reaches the honourable pension age of 65.
As the school ages it also grows at an alarming rate.
From the humble two room beginning in 1942 with its 90 pupils
it is now a huge educational establishment.
In 1986 we had 10 teachers and 295 pupils.
In 1997 we had 13 teachers and 385 pupils
Today we have a staff of 39 people, 31 teachers, 6 Special
Needs Assistants. 1 Secretary, 1 Caretaker and 570 pupils.
As you see we are a fast developing school as are so many
schools in the Dublin commuter belt. It is difficult to
keep pace with these rapid developments and it requires
a lot of forward planning and a greater commitment of resources
to building permanent structures from the Department of
Education and Science.
St.
Joseph’s has always had a great urban/rural mix. In
latter years the mix has changed. With the expansion in
numbers we have become a more inclusive school with a more
diverse cultural and educational mix.
10% of our school-going population here in St. Joseph’s
are from countries other than Ireland, including Nigeria,
Russia, Poland, Argentina, Malaysia, Lithuania, Latvia,
The Philippines, Zimbabwe, Turkey, France, India, Ukraine,
Estonia, Holland, Germany, English, Scotland and Wales.
They are all very welcome and are integrating well.
This is a great enriching experience for all as it prepares
children for the adult world and broadens their perspectives
on inter culturalism and life issues.
Another great aspect of life here is our inclusiveness of
children with Special Needs and our Unit for Children with
Autism.
We cater for children of all abilities covering all the
academic subjects while giving Science ,
I.T., The Arts, P.E., Healthy Eating and Environmental issues
an important focus for all children. We start these curriculum
areas as early as Junior Infants. These areas of learning
are so important now to prepare children for their life
ahead.
We are immensely proud of the many achievements of our past
pupils at second level, at third level and of those who
have made successful careers in many fields of endeavour
at home and abroad.
In addition, we hope that anyone passing through the hallowed
halls of St. Joseph’s will have a great sense of pride
in their environment. We have been to the forefront in dealing
with issues of recycling and reusing, water conservation,
electricity conservation and walking to school, making for
a more eco-friendly environment where children of this and
the next generation can grow up with a healthy respect for
themselves and their environment.
We would ask the Minister to use his influence to ensure
that the present prefabricated structures are replaced by
permanent buildings as soon as possible.
Go raibh maith agat a Aire agus agaibh go léir atá
cruinnithe anseo inniu as ucht bheith inár láthair
ar an ócáid speisialta anseo i Scoil Iósef,
Teampall Raighne.
No material on
this page may be copied or reproduced without
the express written permission of the school.
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