01.06.2023
‘Recognition, Happiness, Acceptance and Support’ – New AS Classroom Opens at KOTG
A morning of joyful celebration in Kill O’ the Grange National School marked the official opening and dedication of their new ASD unit. ‘The Nest’ will enable the school to offer an even warmer welcome with broader support for inclusive education.
The whole school community turned out this morning (Thursday June 1) for the outdoor assembly during which the ribbon on the modern new unit was cut by Archbishop Michael Jackson. The Nest, which stands for Nurturing Education Seamlessly Together, is the fruition of a two–year project by parents and teachers.
After a welcome by Principal Hilary McBain, the Rector of Kill O’ the Grange, the Revd Alan Breen, opened the outdoor assembly. He said that the new building represented an extension of the school community which enabled it to give a bigger welcome to more people. He said that the Nest was built on a solid foundation of the loving school community.
Parent, Sandra Kelly, spoke of the huge support her son had received at KOTG. She said that as parents they were not surprised by their son Samuel’s diagnosis of autism but she was surprised at the many negative words associated with the diagnosis. “It is hard and there are challenges but the autism world is full of ability. Children like Samuel need advocates who will support their abilities and help them reach their potential and from day one Kill o’ the Grange have supported him and helped him to learn his way. This is the Kill o’ the Grange magic. Now, with the Nest, Kill o’ the Grange can spread that magic further and help more children,” she stated.
Her son was on his school tour but in a message, Samuel said that his autism and he had changed a lot since he started in Kill o’ the Grange. He said the teachers had really helped him and that the Nest was a great idea.
Former teacher at the school, Sarah Northcott, who planted the idea for the Nest, paid tribute to the staff and parents who worked so hard and advocated for their children. Their dedication has resulted in a way that even more people could access the school community, she said.
Mr McConnell, who is the first ever Nest teacher in Kill O’ the Grange NS, said that inclusive education had been part of his journey since he was 15 years old. “It’s an honour and a privilege to be starting this journey today,” he said. To the children who would be spending time in the Nest he said: “This room is going to be a space for people like you to reach your potential. Kill O’ the Grange is already a diverse and welcoming place and I am happy that this is part of its journey.” He added that Mrs McBain was already leaving a huge legacy when she retires but the Nest would add to it.
Deputy Principal, Mrs Baker interviewed Olivia whose brother will join the school in September as a result of the Nest opening. She explained that her brother understands the world in a different way and learns differently. Currently he attends a different school because KOTG didn’t have a class for people with autism until now.
Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, Cllr Mary Hannifin, said it was a personal joy to be present at the opening of the Nest as she opened the new KOTG NS building 20 years ago. She recalled that during her time as Minister for Education that there was an “almighty row” over the best policy for educating children with autism. “I knew and we knew that the best policy was for children to be able to go to their local schools… The decision to integrate children into mainstream schools was one of the most difficult political decisions of my life,” she commented.
Deputy Cormac Devlin congratulated the school on the opening of the Nest and said that the building was important to allow for the education of all children. “I love the name, the Nest. It has connotations of safety and support of the young. These Nests are vitally important and I wish Adam [McConnell] and the team and staff continued success,” he said.
PTA member and chairperson of the building project, Jeannette Mee, said that the idea for the Nest came up during a conversation with Sarah Northcott. She paid tribute to Principal Hilary McBain for her readiness to engage with the project and for her belief that everything was possible. She also praised Noel Merrick of the Joint Managerial Body for guiding them through every step of the process. “The Nest is going to give every child a place to go to recharge. But for some it will mean much more. It is recognition, happiness, acceptance and support of their differences,” she stated.
Archbishop Jackson said it was wonderful to see the school community thriving, contributing and growing. “It is so clear that you have grown together even more as a community. Every individual makes a contribution and makes a difference,” he said encouraging the pupils to continue being helpful and holistic in enabling everyone to journey together.
