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Tegan Fitzgerald, Jacinta Fitzgerald, student Sorcha Ní Chathasaigh, teacher Deirdre Ní Síochán, Aidan O’Connor and Darren Fitzgerald at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Open Night on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
WITH the opening of a brand new school building just months away, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí held an open night on Tuesday to give potential students and their families an idea of what to expect if they enrol for next September.
While the open night was held at their current building in Moyderwell, visitors were briefed on the facilities that the new school will offer but, more importantly, on the ethos of the school, the atmosphere and the learning environment they can expect.
As impressive as the new building will be when it opens in early spring 2023, Principal Ruairí Ó Cinnéide was also keen to stress that a school is more than just bricks and mortar.
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“We want to give a sense of who we are here at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, to give a sense of the school rather than a school building and what we can offer students,” he said.
“Those students visiting from English-medium schools — and their parents — may be anxious about the transition to a secondary school where subjects are taught as gaeilge, so we’re here to answer their questions and tell them what we can do to support them.”
The new school — which will be located on land near Ballymullen, adjacent to University Hospital Kerry — will be a state of the art building to include 22 general classrooms, four science labs, a library and specialist rooms for art, technical graphics, materials technology wood, music, home economics and ICT.
Students Seoirse Ní Dhonnchú, and Elsie Peig Nic Ruairí, teacher Deirdre Ní Chochláin, Erin Ní Leathlobhair, Eleanor McCann, Debbie, Dillon, Aisling Dillon and Christine O’Connor at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Open Night on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Campus will also include a sports hall, fitness suite, hard-court play areas and further developments in time to include a hurling wall and astroturf pitches.
Those attending the open night were taken on guided tours by current students, many of whom came from English-speaking primary schools, so they were able to convey how well they adapted to the new environment when they first arrived, while teachers were also on hand to answer any questions.
Principal Ó Cinnéide also gave a comprehensive presentation on everything students and their parents needed to know to help them make a decision about applying for Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí. For more information applying for a place at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, call 066-7121650 or click here to go to their website.
Student Kiana Breathnach with Jake Bairead at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Open Night on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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