“Every child in this school has individual needs and we strive to meet them. The opening of this building means that we are better placed than ever before to do just that.” This was stated by principal Máirín O'Keeffe of St Patrick's NS, Drumshanbo, at the official opening of the new autism unit at the school on Friday, June 24. From left, Supt Chris Grogan, Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station; Cllr Brendan Barry, Cllr Enda McGloin, Mairín O'Keeffe, principal; Minister Josepha Madigan, Ruth McLoughlin; Minster of State Frank Feighan; MEP Maria Walsh and Martin McGowan, Chairperson Board of Management Welcoming everyone to the opening, which was attended by many politicians, and which was performed by Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan she went on to say “About seven years ago, Clare McKeon, Jennifer’s mother, came to visit me in the school about enrolling Jennifer. At the time we had one Autism Class and there was not going to be a place in it for Jennifer although, she had a sibling in the school. And that conversation is where the story of today began. “I talked to the BOM about opening a second class – they were all for it. We went from there to discussing building - the BOM was enthusiastically behind that as well. We sought funding from the DES, we fund-raised and of course, we were given the gift of the site for free from our parish. That’s why we were able to exceed the brief, particularly in creating the hall and the improved outdoor space. I know that many of you here today contributed to that so you should all feel as proud as I do and as the board does in what has been achieved here”. She continued “But a building is just that and its only power is in facilitating what happens inside it, and that comes down to the people, the staff and children who work in our Cairde and Laochra classes and throughout our school. We are evolving as a school and learning about how to be more inclusive and that isn’t always easy. It’s a process that
Pictures from opening of new Autism Unit in Drumshanbo school
Minister Josepha Madigan is pictured with school principal Mairín O'Keeffe (outgoing), Ruth McLoughlin who has been appointed new principal; MEP Maria Walsh and staff members of St Patrick's NS, Drumshanbo
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Noel McPartland, Desmond Doyle, former principal, and Martin McGowan, Chairperson of the Board of Management
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From left, Ursula Maxwell, Deputy Martin Kenny, Seamus Gibbons, Cllr. Brendan Barry, Helena Hayes, Brigid Rowan and Sean Castellano
