.
Mr. Joe McHugh TD, Minister for Education and Skills officially opened Coláiste Gleann Lí’s €1.1 million euro extension on Thursday 2nd of May at a ceremony, which was attended by stakeholders and community representatives. Photo By Domnick Walsh
THE Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh officially opened Coláiste Gleann Lí’s €1.1 million euro extension on Thursday at a ceremony, which was attended by stakeholders and community representatives.
This marked the completion of extensive building works which has extended, refurbished and upgraded the post primary school.
The extension to the school building will house an ICT/ Creative Arts Centre as well as a host of specialist classrooms ensuring that Coláiste Gleann Lí will be in a position to cater for its rapidly expanding school population in line with the steady and constant increase in enrolments since 2014.
Continued below…
.
The extension also includes changing facilities and flood lighting for the existing on-site astro turf pitch.
Minister McHugh was welcomed by Chief Executive Officer of Kerry Education and Training Board, Mr. Colm McEvoy in the presence of Director of Schools, Ms. Ann O’Dwyer, Chairperson of the ETB, Mr. Jim Finucane, Principal of Coláiste Gleann Lí, Mr. Richard Lawlor and Deputy Principal, Mr. Liam McGill and Chairperson of Coláiste Gleann Lí Mr. Terry O’Brien as well as representatives from the Parents’ Council and Students’ Council and local community representatives and groups.
Director of Schools, Music and Youth Affairs, Ms. Ann O’Dwyer expressed her satisfaction with the extension and additional facilities by paying tribute to the characteristic spirit evident in the school.
“Colaiste Gleann Lí is a multidenominational school where everyone is valued equally, irrespective of their nationality, their beliefs, their gender, or their background. A lot of work and planning has gone into the design of the extension which includes 2 special classes, a Multimedia Centre and changing rooms for new AstroTurf pitch for Colaiste Gleann Lí. The principal Richard Lawlor and DP Liam McGill have provided great leadership for this project, and made sure it is fully integrated into school life.”
Mr. Richard Lawlor, Principal of Coláiste Gleann Lí welcomed the Minister to Coláiste Gleann Lí on behalf of the school community.
He explained that the extension was a validation of the inclusive characteristic spirit of the school. He stated: “This extension marks a sizeable investment in our school infrastructure but it also validates the commitment of our staff to the inclusion of all students which has contributed to a huge expansion in enrolments.
“The multimedia space in particular celebrates our focus on the holistic development of our students where we offer a student-centered approach where students are respected and cherished for their unique and varying abilities”
Deputy Principal, Liam McGill stated that; “Today is a great day for Coláiste Gleann Lí and testament to the hard-work, dedication and vision of Kerry ETB and all our stakeholders. The new extension offers us great opportunity to further the exceptional work of our staff here at the school in providing all students with an extremely high quality education, where all students reach their potential.”
The Chairperson of the Board of Management Cllr. Terry O Brien, in welcoming the Minister and the opening of the new extension, stated; “The Board and Staff in consultation with Kerry ETB have worked hard in recent years in ensuring that this building project became a reality and we are delighted that this impressive building project is completed.
“This extension provides state-of-the-art facilities for the school community to enjoy. I wish to thank the Board of Management for their dedication to the school and guarantee our commitment to the continued growth and development of Coláiste Gleann Lí.”
