Important chapter in history of two schools
By Aideen O'Flaherty
TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar officially opened Bishop Shanahan National School and Bishop Galvin National School’s new shared building in Templeogue recently, reports Aideen O’Flaherty.
The two-storey building, which has been in use since February, has been described as a “permanent connection” between the two primary schools which have a shared history dating back to the 1970s.
Pupils from Bishop Galvin and Bishop Shanahan at the opening
Bishop Shanahan National School caters for children from junior infants to second class, and the children then progress on to Bishop Galvin National School from third class through to sixth class to finish their primary education. Bishop Galvin NS opened in 1975, and the significant growth in population led to the establishment of a second school, Bishop Shanahan NS, in 1979.
In 1987, a six-room semi-permanent building was established and was occupied by third class classes, but in the early 2010s it became apparent that a more permanent building would be needed as the population continued to swell – the new shared building is now providing the permanence that the two schools needed.
In a joint statement released by Kathryn Corbett, principal of Bishop Galvin NS, and Ann Nolan, principal of Bishop Shanahan NS, on the day of the official opening, the two principals said: “Today marks an important chapter of the history of both of our schools.
“Building on the tradition of collaboration, we are delighted to celebrate the work of so many involved in achieving this unique building programme, which is reflective of what both schools represent.
“The classrooms are modern, spacious and well-designed learning environments, where our pupils of the future can flourish.”
Proud of the staff
They added: “The day-to-day life of a school is always busy. We are particularly proud of the staff, as they continued to teach and enable learning for the pupils, despite the challenges that any building programme presents.”
The new building contains eight new classrooms, six new resource rooms and accessible toilets for 1,000 students.
See more photos in this week’s issue of The Echo.
