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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 13 November, 2015
Visit of Education Minister to schools in County Waterford
Scoil Garbhain – Leac Práise in onóir na hócáide á nochtadh ag an Aire, Jan O’Sullivan, mar aon le Ciara Conway, T.D., agus Silvia Uí Sheanlaoich, Príomh Oide. [Karen Dempsey]
EDUCATION Minister Jan O’Sullivan had a busy day in County Waterford last Thursday visiting a number of schools accompanied by local Labour T.D. Deputy Ciara Conway. BUNSCOIL GLEANN SIDHEÁIN, CAPPOQUIN A jam-packed day of engagements began in Cappoquin at Bunscoil Gleann Sidheáin where the Minister turned the sod on the new Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) unit which has received funding from the Department of Education. The new Principal in Cappoquin, Brid Duggan along with the Board of Management was delighted to welcome Minister O’Sullivan, Ciara Conway and local Cllr. John Pratt into the school for the happy event. Minister O’Sullivan was delighted to meet the pupils and parents and received a presentation of a school booklet, a hamper of local produce and a beautiful floral bouquet. Minister O’Sullivan made history by being the first Education Minister to pay a visit to the primary school in Cappoquin. ST. JOHN’S SPECIAL SCHOOL, DUNGARVAN Local dignitaries, including Most Reverend Bishop Alphonsus Cullinane and
Cllr. Damien Geoghegan, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Dungarvan-Lismore District Council, were on hand to welcome Minister O’Sullivan to the official opening of the extension of St John’s Special School in Dungarvan. Principal Helen Forde has arranged a special treat in the form of the Déise Brass Band which went down a storm with pupils and the Minister alike as she told the band afterwards that she is “ a huge fan of jazz”. Minister O’Sullivan, Deputy Conway and Cllr. Pratt toured the school and viewed the new sensory room, classrooms and physio area for students. The Minister was presented with a beautiful artistic work made by one of the many talent students attending St. John’s. ST. MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, DUNGARVAN Minister O’Sullivan and Deputy Conway paid a courtesy visit to meet with Principal Fiona Fitzgerald and staff and students at St. Mary’s Primary School which recently celebrated 25 years with the opening of a new preschool ASD unit. SCOIL GHARBHÁIN, ABBEYSIDE Príomhaide Silvia Uí Sheanlaoich was the next to extend the ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ to Minister O’Sullivan, at Scoil Gharbháin in
Duckspool, Abbeyside. The pupils lined out beautifully in the main hall and there were screams of delight as the t-Aire announced that there would be no homework that evening. The Minister unveiled a plaque, was presented with Crystal and beautiful hamper of local produce from Dungarvan and was delighted to answer céisteanna as gaeilge from the assembled páistí. KILMACTHOMAS Minister O’Sullivan made history by being the first Minister for Education to visit a school in Kilmacthomas and received a resoundingly warm musical welcome as the talented pupils played and sang to welcome the Minister in sunshine as the skies cleared. Principal Sheila Creed and her staff and Board of Management were delighted to show Minister O’Sullivan the building work that is currently underway after the school was approved for funding under the pre-fab replacement scheme. The Minister, who hails from Clare, was delighted to receive a Waterford Flag along with a beautiful picture of the Kilmac’ aqueduct. Addressing the pupils in the unseasonable sunshine the Education Minister praised
At the Official Opening of the new extension at St. John’s School, Dungarvan, were Jan O'Sullivan, Minsiter for Education; Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Dean Paul Draper, Canon Ryan, Ciara Conway, TD; Helen Forde, School Principal, and Anna Kirwan, Chairperson Board of Management. [Sean Byrne//Deise Media]
them all and said they had done their “school and their parents proud” whilst remarking on the natural beauty of Kilmacthomas. “You’re very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world, and I hope that you’ll enjoy introducing Kilmacthomas with all the visitors who will be coming here next year when the Déise Greenway opens – and of course you’ll be in your new classrooms by then too,” added Minister O’Sullivan. Speaking after the Ministerial visit, host T.D. Ciara Conway was full of praise for the pupils, teachers and parents they had met in each of the schools, saying: “Minister O’Sullivan was very impressed by the wonderful students and by the warm Waterford welcome!” “I was delighted to be able to bring her to places like Cappoquin and Kilmacthomas in particular, as these are places that haven’t often had a visit from the Minister for Education,” said Deputy Conway. “It was great to be able to see the money that was hard-fought for in the Education budget being put to such good use in schools across Waterford, and I’d like to thank the Minister for taking the time to come and see us – and thank you to the schools for making it a special day,” Deputy Conway added.
Paddy Moore presenting a clock to the Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan at the Official Opening of the new extension at St. John’s School, Dungarvan. [Sean Byrne//Deise Media]
Staff of Kilmacthomas Primary School with Ger Barron, Minister Jan O'Sullivan and TD Ciara Conway.
Minister Jan O'Sullivan and TD Ciara Conway pictured with pupils, members of staff and board of management during the Minister’s visit to St. Mary’s Primary School, Dungarvan.
Aoileana Ni Bheaglaoi cuts the tape with help from Sinead Wall at the Official Opening of the new extension at St. John’s School, Dungarvan. Included are Jan O'Sullivan, Minsiter for Education; Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Dean Paul Draper, Damien Geoghegan, Deputy Chairperson Dungarvan & Lismore District; Ciara Conway, TD; Helen Forde, School Principal; Anna Kirwan, Chairperson Board of [Sean Byrne//Deise Media] Management; Cllr. John Pratt and Cllr. Declan Doocey.
Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan unveils a plaque at the Official Opening of the new extension at St. John’s School, Dungarvan. Included are Ciara Conway, TD, and Aoileana Ni Bheaglaoi. [Sean Byrne//Deise Media]
Minister's visit to Bunscoil Gleann Sidheain, Cappoquin: Jan O'Sullivan, Minister for Education, turns the first sod on the site to accommodate the new ASD unit at Bunscoil Gleann Sidheain. Included in the photo are Ciara Conway, TD; Mrs. Brid Duggan, School Principal; Denis McCarthy, Board of Management Chairman; Fr. Arthure, Eilish Curran, Board of Management, and Pat Murphy, parent. [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
Minister for Education visits Cappoquin Primary School SOME occasions on the annual school calendar become firmly etched into its history. The recent visit of Minister Jan O’Sullivan to Bunscoil Gleann Sídheáin is one such occasion. Thursday, 5th November, dawned dull and grey. Notwithstanding the inclement weather, the interior of Bunscoil Gleann Sidheain was ablaze with colour. The walls of the hall and corridor were adorned with a wide variety of the children’s art and project work, an air of anticipation was palpable. The students were assembled in the school hall looking spruce and smart in their uniforms. Promptly, the group of dignitaries entered the hall, escorted by the pupils of 6th class, and made their way to the stage. Musical accompaniment was provided by Ms. Keating and Aoibhinn O’Rourke, 5th Class pupil. When everyone was seated, Mrs. Duggan, school principal, opened proceedings by welcoming the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan to our school. She noted that this visit was very significant because it was the first official visit of a Minister for Education to A Primary School in Cappoquin. The Minister was presented with a number of gifts to mark her visit. They included a bouquet of flowers, a hamper of local pro-
duce and a resumé of the school’s activities in booklet form. Minister O’Sullivan addressed the audience. She complimented the children on their art and project work and said that she was delighted to have the opportunity to visit such a ‘fantastic’ school. She urged the children to keep up their good work. Next, Mr. Denis McCarthy, chairperson of the Board of Management,
thanked the Minister for coming, he noted her commitment to further improving education, referring in particular to the forthcoming extension which has been sanctioned for the school and which will house the ASD unit. Following a photoshoot, Minister O’Sullivan unveiled a plaque, mounted in the main school hall, in memory of her visit. She called in to meet the children in the Junior Infant and Senior
Infant classes, walked along the main school corridor and inspected the site designated to accommodate the ASD unit. Finally, it must be said that Minister O’Sullivan gained a special place in the hearts of all the children when she announced that Thursday was to be a homework-free day. Yes, Thursday, 5th November, 2015, was a morning we shall not forget!
Minister's visit to Bunscoil Gleann Sidheain, Cappoquin: Minister Jan O'Sullivan and Mrs. Brid Duggan, School Principal, are pictured at the plaque which was unveiled to mark the first official visit of a [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images] Minister for Education to a Primary School in Cappoquin.