New €2m extension opened at Farnham NS

An expansive €2m extension at the Farnham National School, Drumelis, was officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith and Dr. Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore last Friday morning. The new project, which received a grant of €1.9m from the Department of Education and Science, comprises three new classrooms, a large sports hall, two learning support rooms, an administrative office and a principal's office. The project also received a local contribution from the Board of Management in the sum of €31,500. The school has grown from 156 pupils in the year 2000 to 248 this year with 13 teachers. Minister Smith alluded to the rich history of the school, which can be traced back to 1801 when Lord Farnham set up a school for the education of children of the staff he employed on his estate. The Minister noted that the school always had a very progressive ethos, which is retained to this day. The Minister said that children of all denominations and abilities have been, and continue to be welcomed in the school. Minister Smith remarked on the importance of sport in the school, which will be greatly enhanced by the new sports hall and all-weather pitch. He also remarked that a former principal of the school, Sony Magee, was a former all-Ireland football championship winner in 1933 and 1935. Congratulating the Board of Management, together with principal Bernard Donohoe and the teachers for their key role in steering the completion of the project, Minister Smith paid a special tribute to the contribution of the parents. He also congratulated the builders Sandar properties Ltd, and Frank Cooney of Cooney Architects, for delivering such a fine new development. Bishop Leo O'Reilly said this was a "red letter day in the life of Farnham school, as we celebrate the blessing and opening of this fine new extension and all the other facilities that have been added, both inside and outside the school complex". He said there was a wonderful expansive car park and all weather playing pitch. Bishop O'Reilly was most impressed with all the new facilities including the spacious general purpose room. Referring to the late Paddy Crosbie and the famous RTE Radio programme, the 'School Around The Corner', Dr. O'Reilly remarked: "Well the school around the corner is not the same here - this school has more than doubled in size since it opened in 1996." He continued: "As a Catholic school, this school has a distinct ethos and certain values that shape its whole approach to education. Amongst those are a sense of community and belonging, a sense of care and respect for people, a spirit of sharing and generosity, a place where good values are promoted, as well as good results, a place where children learn to pray and play, read and write and do the maths." Bishop Leo O'Reilly said: "The horrific crimes and casual violence that we hear about, don't come from nowhere. They come from lives that have been corrupted by evil thoughts and evil images and minds that have been distorted by drugs or alcohol, minds that have been corrupted by violence and pornography and television videos, the internet and other sources." He emphasised that what goes on in the mind is very important. "A key to good actions, is good thoughts. The key to noble deeds is noble thoughts, the key to honourable behaviour is honourable thoughts," said Dr. O'Reilly. "The Catholic education makes no apology for trying to instill in its pupils nobility of mind and heart, virtuous behaviour and good values," he concluded.