THE culmination of five years of planning and work came to fruition on Wednesday with the opening of a new extension to St Ita’s and St Joseph’s Primary and Post Primary School.
A special celebration day was held at the school with a Mass, celebrated by Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne in the Balloonagh convent church across the road.
Kieran Donaghy, whose mother works as a Special Needs Assistant at the school, gave to talk to those present about the school’s motto, ‘Through Perseverance We Succeed’ and how it applied personally to his own career.
Afterwards, Fr Patsy Lynch of the Board of Management cut the ribbon to open the extension while there was music, dancing and sean-nos singing from the students, after which refreshments were served.
“It’s a fantastic day for the school. We’re delighted to have two new post-primary ASD rooms, a multi-sensory room, social space, play area and staff room,” said Principal Grace Sheahan.
“The vision for this initiated five years ago and work actually started last June. A year later we’re celebrating what has been a challenging project. Most of the funding came from the Department of Education, but the staff room came about through the hard work of the Board of Management and through fundraising,” said Ms Sheahan, who thanked everyone involved in the special day.
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