Ó Cuív opens extension to St Theresa’s National School, Cashel, Connemara
Written by Eamon Ó Cuív Friday, 25 June 2010
Minister for Social Protection, Éamon Ó Cuív TD today (25 June 2010) officially opened the extension to St Theresa’s National School, Cashel, Connemara. The Minister also launched the school’s recently produced DVD, ‘Cashel by the Sea’ and acknowledged the school’s 3rd Green Flag, raised today by pupils, for their efforts in relation to water conservation.
The newly-built extension opened by the Minister includes two new classrooms with a storage room and toilets, a general purpose hall, staff room/kitchen, learning support room and offices. The Department of Education and Skills provided almost €0.5m in grants, primarily under its Small Schools Scheme, to fund the extension.
The Minister said he was delighted to open the new extension saying: “St Theresa’s National School has a proud tradition in education going back to the origins of the school in 1949. These newly-extended premises equipped with new technology and a Learning Support room, will ensure that pupils will continue to enjoy an excellent level of education for many years to come. The improved facilities will be of enormous benefit to both pupils and teachers alike.”
Minister Ó Cuív praised the school and its pupils for its recent and significant achievements across a number of areas. St Theresa’s NS has been involved in the Lifelong Learning programme Comenius*. The pupils also recently produced a DVD highlighting the activities of their school entitled Cashel by the Sea. The Minister took the opportunity to launch the DVD today and said: “I would like to compliment the pupils for producing this excellent DVD and for their dedication in particular to the European Commission’s Comenius project which fosters insight through exchange. I am also very impressed with the range of music, sporting and other creative activities which are available to pupils.”
Minister Ó Cuív continued: “I would also like to congratulate the staff, pupils and their parents on achieving their 3rd Green Flag. It is wonderful to see the whole school getting involved in this An Taisce project which not only benefits the students and the school, but also our environment.”
The Minister concluded by paying tribute to the dedication of Principal Cepta Stephens. He acknowledged past and present staff and he also thanked the Board of Management, led by Chairperson Desmond Lally. The Minister also acknowledged the previous Board of Management and especially the deceased former Chairperson of the Board, the late Fr Patrick Breen who died earlier this year. He wished the pupils of St Theresa’s National School every success in their refurbished school.
ENDS
25.06.2010
Notes to Editor:
*Comenius Project
Part of the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013, Comenius focuses on the first phase of education: nursery, primary and post-primary schooling, including technical and vocational education, and extends to pupils, teachers and education staff. It also can include organisations such as parents' associations, NGOs, local authorities, the business sector and the social partners.
