St Dympna’s students grill big boss

Tydavnet school community show off new ASD classroom

- Veronica Corr -

“What took you so long?” a junior pupil asked Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton on Thursday morning last, during her visit to St Dympna’s NS in Tydavnet.

The Minister was most amused by the question from the curious young man and apologised for running slightly behind schedule because she had already visited a school in Carrickmacross that morning.

Another asked the Minister if she was the boss of all the schools, and when she said that she was, the inquisitive youngsters were rewarded with no homework by Ministerial order!

The pupils all enthusiastically engaged and entertained the guest of honour, who used to be a primary school teacher herself.

Speaking to the Celt afterwards, she said: “I have to say I feel like I’ve come full circle. I was in the Department of Special Education previously, then I was in disability as Minister of State. Coming into the Cabinet as Minister for Education, I feel I bring a lot of experience from a policy and Ministerial point of view, but also from a teaching background.”

She acknowledged that there are challenges in education, but also a huge amount of positivity. She mentioned, for example, the Convention on the Future of Education, which will give children, young people, parents, educators and wider community their say on the future of education in Ireland.

Minister Naughton was in Tydavnet to see, first hand, the reconfiguration work undertaken at the school to convert their PE hall into a new sensory room and a second autism classroom.

She emphasised the importance of making “sure that those children get the educational support they need within their locality”.

St Dympna’s caters for 124 pupils, including children attending the already established autism classroom. Nine teachers keep the show on the road, backed up by support staff, the Board of Management and Parents Association.

Minister Naughton was full of praise for the students and teachers in Tydavnet, complimenting their resilience and support of one another.

“They are fantastic young people. The future is very strong in their hands. When I go out to the schools and hear feedback from them, it is wonderful. And I have to commend the school community, the principal and the staff, because it really does come from the top. You can see the wonderful inclusivity in all our schools. And that’s what we want to continue to harness and support.”

Deputy David Maxwell (FG) thanked Minister Naughton for making time in her busy schedule to visit Co Monaghan for two days. She also visited Inver College, Monaghan Collegiate, Monaghan Community Special School, met with Fine Gael public representatives in Deputy Maxwell’s office and the North South Ministerial Council at the Peace Campus. Fine Gael Councillors Pauric Clerkin and Alan Johnston, made the trip to Tydavnet, as did Senator Robbie Gallagher (FF).

School principal Daniel Murphy led the Ministerial welcoming committee, with junior and senior student council members representing their peers. Ahead of her arrival, Mr Murphy, said he would be pushing the Minister for additional supports.

“Minister Naughton will see the future extension plans that we have for the school. We’re hoping that the Minister will open our class officially today and help us with the sanction in August for September 2026.”

The extension, the principal explained, will consist of two Special Education Needs (SEN) rooms, which will include a shared learning space in between with sensory and soft play areas: “Brand new classrooms, connected in such a way that it flows freely from one classroom to the next. Those extensions free up existing classrooms, which can facilitate future mainstream growth in the school.”

St Dympna’s NS is now open for enrolment until February 27. The enrolment open morning takes place on Monday, February 9, from 10am-12 noon, when families can come and check out the school for themselves.

Caroline Murphy, chair of the Board of Management, praised “the amazing work” and many new initiatives introduced, thanks to the principal.

“Looking around the school today, at the autism class that is already open and the one that is ready to open… A few years ago we wouldn’t have thought that could have happened so quickly. It’s great for the Minister to see in practice how this is working. We hope that she will give the go ahead for the opening of the classroom in September.”

Barry McKenna, chairperson of the Parents’ Association, also has his “fingers crossed” for the second classroom to be fully sanctioned.