Double celebration for Scoil Naomh Brid
It was a double celebration in Ballyconnell as Scoil Naomh Brid celebrated 50 years of service to families of the parish with the officially open of a new building with facilities for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Scoil Naomh Bríd has grown significantly in the past decade from 80 pupils in 2007 to 174 today. The official launch was presided over by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys.
Minister Humphreys said the school expansion was a direct result of the growth of the area: “This increase reflects the growth in industry in Ballyconnell with new jobs coming on stream in a number of areas. The town has also welcomed people from many countries, and the school is now a very diverse place with children from nineteen different countries.”
The Minister reflected on the progress of the school: “Looking around at this wonderful new building, it is easy to think things were always like this. But ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’, as they say - this project took a lot of hard work by a lot of people behind the scenes.”
“Ballyconnell is famous for its community spirit – and, without a doubt, it’s the reason we are standing here today. I know it’s a very proud day for the school community, including the principal, Terence Reynolds; the Chairperson of the Board of Management, Tony Connolly, and members of the Board; members of staff past and present; pupils past and present; members of the Parent’s Council; local clergy; and members of the local community, who have all shown ongoing support for the school,” the Minister said.
The new facilities include a kitchen, medical area and one-to-one support rooms. The Sensory Room gives children a space experience some “time out” when they need it. The new facilities will ensure children receive the best possible education in a setting that supports all aspects of learning.
Scoil Naomh Brid leads the way nationally in meeting the needs of the surrounding community. Three years ago they recognised the need for a special class for pupils with ASD, starting out in a pre-fab with just four children.
Those numbers have doubled in the past two years, and there are now two classes of “stars” – Rang Réaltaí a hAon and Rang Réaltaí a Dó – each with their own teachers and Special Needs Assistants.
Minister Humphreys emphasised the importance of the new ASD unit: “€1m is a small price to pay for a new building that will have a transformative impact on the school community for many years to come - and it’s very clear that a huge amount has been achieved within the budget. It is never easy being a parent - but for parents of a child with special or additional learning needs, there are extra worries, and there is always a big concern about where their child will go to school.”
In closing the Minister quoted Henry Ford, saying: “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success,” and concluded by saying, “It gives me greater pleasure to officially open the bigger and better Scoil Naomh Brid!”