13.06.2016
Whitechurch National School Celebrates Opening New Extension
The Whitechurch National School family celebrated the official opening of their new school extension yesterday (Thursday June 9). The festivities began with a Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving in the nearby Whitechurch Parish Church before proceeding to the school where the ribbon was cut on the new building by long standing board member and original trustee, Stewart Paul, following a blessing by the Patron, Archbishop Michael Jackson.
The official opening took place on St Columba’s Day and there were many references to the saint during the service which was celebrated by the Rector, Canon Horace McKinley. Third Class produced a dramatic reconstruction of the life of St Columba and the Archbishop brought the service to a close with the Collect for St Columba’s Day. First Class pupils recited a poem called ‘Tom’s Bomb’.
Speaking outside the school, Canon McKinley thanked all who were involved in bringing the school extension project to fruition. He paid tribute to the Department of Education and Skills for their grant for the extension and to the school principal, Sarah Richards, for the time and skills she contributed to securing the extension.
The Rector thanked Stewart Paul for the long years of commitment he had given to the school and said that his cutting of the tape reflected the “great respect, esteem and value which the school community continues to hold him in”. The architect, Louis Burke and the builder, Hugh Keogh, were also praised along with all associated with the completion of the work. He thanked Gerry Pullman, parishioner and Board of Management member, for the wood carving of the Church of Ireland Cross which now hangs in the hallway.
Sarah Richards also thanked all involved in the construction of the extension and all who had prepared the morning’s service and the refreshments which would follow. She acknowledged the patience and flexibility of the teachers, parents and pupils during the building work. “This extension means so much to us in Whitechurch National School. It means we can have eight single classes rather than six mixed classes. We have a lovely bright reception area and our special education team is now housed in the main building,” she explained.
Archbishop Jackson paid tribute to all whose negotiations and commitment made the school extension possible. He said the new building was there for the pupils of today but also for the pupils of the future and contributed to the parish and the wider community. He added that schools must be safe places where children can take for granted that which is natural in schools – that they are places of learning. He urged the pupils of today to enjoy their new school extension.
The school was first opened in 1823 in the grounds of the parish church. However, it closed down in 1968 due to dwindling numbers but reopened in the Old School in 1978. In 1990 the school moved to its current site across the road and has steadily increased in size since then. There are now 17 members of staff and 183 pupils.
The school has seen a particularly large increase in numbers of pupils applying in recent years. This has lead to the growth of the school from a six class school to an eight class school. The school received funding from the Department of Education and Skills to build an extension comprising two additional classrooms, a new reception area and offices, and special education rooms. The parking area, heating system and sewerage systems were also upgraded.
Photo captions:
Top – Canon Horace McKinley, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Stewart Paul and Sarah Richards.
Bottom – Pupils of Whitechurch National School give an illustrated history of St Columba.
You can see more photos at: https://www.facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough/posts/1031541403548570