Building a Better Future for children in Letterkenny
Minister Richard Bruton officially opens Letterkenny Educate Together National School
Friday was a special day for the children, parents and staff at Letterkenny Educate Together National School. The building was officially opened by the Minister of Education and Skills, Richard Bruton on the anniversary of the establishment of the Educate Together concept, as mentioned by Paul Rowe (Chief Executive of Educate Together). The children were centre stage for this momentous occasion and were very vocal in their performance of songs written by the first principal, Maire Lynam. ‘Build a Better Future’ and ‘Space in the World’ echoed around the magnificent new hall as the proud students sang with gusto. In attendance were the start-up committee whose vision, said principal Áine Fabisiak “of a child centred approach to inclusive education remains unchanged.”
Áine expressed her thanks “to the strong team that surrounds her at LETNS” which includes staff, parents, guardians, extended family members and the board of management, – Áine described the team as “a strong partnership working together for the benefit of our pupils”.
Áine also thanked the wider community who are central to the development of the school and played an important part in the recent successful Operation Transformation Programme which propelled the school to a national platform.
Joe Mc Hugh spoke about the commitment and enthusiasm of the founding members of the school including principal Maire Lynam who was integral to the expansion of the school. He expressed his passion for Project Ireland 2040 and how Donegal will benefit from the policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development outlined in the plan.
Richard Bruton used a famous Isaac Newton quote to highlight the magnitude of the occasion – “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” The children listened intently and there were squeals of joy when Minister Bruton enthusiastically unveiled the plaque.
6th Class pupils gave an emotional performance of their interpretation of the homeless situation in Ireland and said how meeting with the team at St Colmcille Hostel encouraged them to organise a bake sale to raise money for the charity.
The ceremony concluded with a presentation of thanks to Áine as principal and mum by her daughters Orla and Lucy, who are pupils in the school. All that was left was for Minister Bruton to cut the ribbon and declare the school officially open. He was helped by the oldest and youngest pupils in the school Megan and James.
