Tree planting ceremony at Dundalk Grammar School

Dundalk Grammar School had a tree planting ceremony in appreciation of long-serving Board of Governor, Dr. Laurence Swan.

Dr. Swan retired from the Board on October 22nd of last year, having served 37 years on the Board, including 16 years as Chairperson from 1st of May 1998 until 1st December 2014.

The meaningful but low key event took place on Friday 25th August 2023.

Dr. Swan was instrumental along with other long-serving Governors in shaping Dundalk Grammar School into what it is today, a spokesperson for the school said.

He spearheaded many innovative initiatives, including the acquisition of campus extensions, the acquisition of the Old Louth Infirmary and its preservation, the development of a new campus layout in 2014.

“Dundalk Grammar School is a living history of the heritage of the town, its people, and is intended to continue in this vein and enhance their quality of life at every opportunity”, the spokesperson continued.

“The school’s activities are conducted with mindfulness for the local communities, its neighbours and the people of the North East.

“It is an inclusive and innovative platform for educating children from all walks of life, helping them to maximise their potential through its broad offering of academic, extra-curricular options and opportunities that the school offers.

“Much of this offering is down to the dedication, selflessness, vision and resilience of life’s work from people such as Dr. Swan.

“Dr. Swan’s passion for education and making it accessible for the local community, and beyond, has not alone enriched the town of Dundalk but has enriched the school itself.

“Dr. Swan’s spirit of inclusivity is aligned with the school’s protestant ethos which embraces children of all traditions and beliefs.

“The only gain for Dr. Swan was the reward of satisfaction, knowing that what he was doing would help others, for generations to come.”

Many awards were bestowed on Dr. Swan, but most notably the Chairperson’s Award, presented by the Chairperson of the Board, Mr. Graeme Treadwell on 19th December, last year.

The Board of Governors wish to demonstrate their personal “appreciation for Dr. Swan’s comradery, selfless guidance and conviviality to all members over the years and in recognition of your wisdom bestowed onto all things that are Dundalk Grammar School”.

As a token of their appreciation, a hand-selected tree that is symbolic of all that Dr. Swan has invested in the school, was planted on 25th of August.

Dr Swan’s passion for botany, evidenced by his doctorate in this area inspired the planting of an Aceraceae, better known as the Maple, was appropriate.

The Chairperson, in his speech, said: “It is symbolic in that it represents adaptability, balance, longevity and benevolence, descriptives that are aligned with your service.

“The Maple is also an important tree for biodiversity, supporting bees in early spring with its pollen, symbolising benevolence of the pollen being presented to the bees in early Spring represents the gift of making a better and inclusive education more accessible to students in the North East.”

This tree is planted South East of Hanbidge House in Dundalk Grammar School and will reside and flourish for generations to come, as will the students and surrounding communities of the school.