A day of celebration for St Aidan's NS in Bawnboy
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Mary Fitzpatrick cutting the ribbon with the help of Ben and Sophie Kelleher.Image 2 of 4
Sixth class students Elsie Brady, Sarah McBarron, Rian McGoldrick, Evan McAveety, Jason Shannon and Jason McGovern.Image 3 of 4
St Aidan’s NS staff, past and present. From left: Rachael Lyden, Juliana Doherty, Valerie Quinn, Breda Maguire, Amy Quirke, Caroline Crowe, Sharon Boyle, James Rudden, Mary Fitzpatrick, Ann Maguire, Mary Bogue, Karen Griffin, Emma Cronin and Eoin Walsh.Image 4 of 4
Principal James Rudden with Gareth Maguire of The Tumbling Paddies. Photos: ISABEL DUGGAN ROFERóisín McManus
It was a day of celebration and remembrance at St Aidan’s National School last Tuesday, June 16, as they opened their brand new playground and the sixth class students graduated.
More than €20,000 was raised by parents, families, local businesses and the wider community to develop the playground with a new swingset, seesaw and slide for the school's 78 pupils to enjoy. The project also included new fencing, boundary wall works, accessibility improvements including a disabled toilet and significant landscaping and enhancement works throughout the school grounds.
A special candlelit concert was previously held in St Mogue’s Church in December to raise funds for the project featuring Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan and local singer/songwriter Kevin Logue.
Speaking at the official opening of the playground, principal James Rudden said it gave him “enormous pleasure” to welcome those gathered for a “most important and joyful occasion”.
“When children look at this playground, we hope that they see excitement, climbing frames and swings and laughter and adventure,” Mr Rudden said.
“When adults look at this playground, we see something bigger, we see what happens when a community comes together, we see the generosity of families, the dedication of volunteers in our school community, the commitment of staff, the support of local people and businesses and we see what can be achieved when everyone works together for the benefit of our children.”
Paying tribute to the late Keira Curran, former Chair of the Parents Association, who sadly passed away last December, Mr Rudden said it was “impossible not to think of someone who played such an important role in helping this vision become a reality”.
“Many of the conversations, ideas and dreams surrounding the playground development began with Keira and the Parents Association,” he said.
“Today, as we open this playground, it is only right that we acknowledge her contribution and remember her with affection and gratitude. In many ways, this playground will always carry part of Keira’s legacy.”
Mr Rudden thanked Lasse Morgenroth and Brackley Landscaping and Michaél Maguire and Maguire Architects for their work on the playground. He also thanked everyone who generously donated to the project, including “one of Ireland’s greatest sporting ambassadors” Leona Maguire who generously donated $5000. Leona’s mother Breda and grandmother Marian McGovern both taught in the school.
Gareth Maguire from The Tumbling Paddies was the special guest on the day. His mother Marie and grandparents are from Bawnboy.
He reminisced on the band’s early days performing in The Rocks of Bawn 11 years ago and encouraged the graduating students to “follow your dreams and don’t forget where you came from”.
Gareth revealed that, at 12, his goal was to be a musician. "I knew what I wanted to do and nothing was going to stop me,” he said.
“Whatever you have in mind, follow it and don’t let anything stop you.”
The playground was officially opened by Mary Fitzpatrick, Chair of the school’s Board of Management with the help of two students, brother and sister Ben and Sophie Kellegher.
“Our goal as a board is to provide an environment that supports not only the academic learning but also the physical and social development of students in our school,” said Mrs Fitzpatrick.
“We believe that play is an essential component of the educational experience.”
Keira Curran’s son Shay kindly presented Mary with a bouquet of flowers.
The six sixth class students - Elsie Brady, Sarah McBarron, Evan McAveety, Jason Shannon, Jason McGovern and Rian McGoldrick - then had their graduation ceremony.
“They’re a wonderful group and we wish them well as they head on to St Mogue's College and we hope they do exactly what Gareth did in following their dreams.”
Parish Priest Fr Sean Maguire advised the students to “be yourselves” as they take this next step in their lives.
“Maybe you might feel a bit overwhelmed by your new adventure or life in general, think back on your time here in national school because you have excelled really well here and take confidence in that because you will do very well in the future.”