Inclusiveness the focus as AVS opens new extension with autism unit

The Abbey Vocational School’s goal is for every student to reach their full potential, guests at the opening ceremony of the latest extension were told. 

While in use since September, the extension which includes seven new classrooms and an autism suite (known as the ICAN suite) was formally opened on Thursday last. 

Guest of honour was Children’s Ombudsman and past pupil Dr Niall Muldoon, who performed the official opening. 

He recalled his own years as a somewhat troublesome student at the school, and shared how being given a bit of responsibility had been a turning point in his life. 

“Not one single teacher would have thought I would be back here doing this now,” said Dr Muldoon, now a psychologist by profession.

“But I have had time to reflect and I see that my time at the AVS gave me the skills to cope with a lot of things.”

He recalled that he played a number of sports and was captain of six teams at one stage, despite what he described as his ‘acting out’ due to difficulties in his life at the time.

“Thanks to the teachers who thought that was a good place for me,” said Dr Muldoon.

He shared the moment that he now realises was very significant.

“The Principal JJ Harvey took the brave step of giving the student who held the record for the most time on report [a form of sanction in the school at the time] to decorate the new school for Christmas,” he said. “I even had a budget!

“I believe that gesture for me by JJ was the catalyst for me to knuckle down and behave like a mature student.”

He said that while this may seem a small thing in some ways, it demonstrated the difference that such an act can make in the life of a young person.

Dr Muldoon outlined how his role as Ombudsman for Children was to promote and protect the rights of all children, with a particular focus on children with additional needs.

“It is by offering all our children the chance to go to school along with their siblings that we are protecting their rights,” he said. 

The Ombudsman for Children praised the AVS and ETB for putting inclusion at the heart of educational policy, and for developing the ICAN suite for those with additional needs.

“It will allow each and every one of them to be their best selves,” he said.

Minister for For Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD spoke on behalf of himself and Minister for Education Norma Foley TD.

He acknowledged the high standard of music, dance, spoken word and art that had been demonstrated by students and teachers during the ceremony. 

The minister stressed the importance of a strong educational foundation for young people, and he praised school management and parents for their role.

He told the students: “Make sure you make the most of the opportunities that you have. Identify and value the talents that you have and step them out and make them work for you. 

“Develop your skills but also look after one another. That is something we all have the capacity to do.”

CE of Donegal ETB Anne McHugh spoke about how making the school a better place for students with additional needs made it a nicer place for all students. This included features such as wider doors and corridors and more space in classrooms. 

She said inclusion was a core value of Donegal ETB, adding: “It is so important that any child can come here to the school and have the same opportunity as everybody else.”

Chair of the ETB Cllr Michael McBride recalled visiting his grandmother’s native Leghowney and the wider Donegal Town area as a child. 

“I have great memories of a very welcoming people,” he said.

Regarding the new facilities at the AVS, Cllr McBride said: “It is great to see all the needs of the children being met. 

Addressing the students, he added: “It will give the teachers that you have in the school the tools to develop a high standard of education. 

“You as students have the opportunity to achieve your ambitions and dreams. You can be what you want to be.”

Principal Geraldine Diver outlined the history of education in Donegal Town, and of the AVS which opened in 1982. She acknowledged the educational building blocks that had been put in place by those who had gone before her. 

To the former teachers present for the ceremony, Ms Diver said: “While you think you have just turned up today, this is all about what you have left behind, what you have built. Today is just one more building block. It is fabulous to see each and every one of you.”

The principal acknowledged Glebe Builders for their work on the project, and Deputy Principal Ronan Diver for overseeing it from a school point of view. She thanked Paddy Kelly and Patricia Patton in the ETB for their role, and every one who had been involved in the project which she believed would enhance educational inclusion at the school.

“We believe in the education of the whole child,” she said. “Students are supported in every area of their lives.”

Head Girl Emma Meehan reflected on her own positive experiences at the AVS.

“Our teachers are extremely dedicated and they encourage us students to perform to the best of our ability inside and outside the classroom,” she said. 

Parents representative Mary McGuckian praised the school for its ethos of inclusivity by providing a state of the art autism unit. 

Board of Management Chairperson Geoffrey Browne spoke about a number of elements of the ETB ethos, including equality. He said this meant giving all students the chance to get a full education. 

“The new classrooms we have here will help us to provide that education,” he said. 

 The role of local representatives including former education ministers Mary Coughlan and Deputy Joe McHugh, both of whom were present, was acknowledged.

Also present were Deputy Thomas Pringle, Senator Eileen Flynn, Mayor of Donegal Town Pauric Kennedy, Cllrs Noel Jordan, Tom Conaghan, Niamh Kennedy, Barry Sweeny, Micheál Naughton and Michael McMahon; clergy Archdeacon David Huss, Rev John Montgomery, Rev Stephen Richmond, Fr Adrian Gavigan; Ms Anne McHugh, CE of Donegal ETB, John Kearney CEO NCSE and NCSE personnel, Dr Martin Gormley, Director of Schools Donegal ETB, as well as students, parents and staff past and present.