Newport NS open new extension on ‘very special day’ for school

SONG, dance and warm rounds of applause echoed around Newport recently as the local national school celebrated the opening of a new extension.

A celebration of Newport NS’s commitment to the environment and their new state-of-the-art school buildings greeted all who packed into the school gymnasium for a ceremony on the afternoon.

The West Mayo school has seen four extensions in total in the last 12 years and caters for 255 students with 18 teachers, 11 SNAs and six ancillary staff.

As well as the raising of the school's tenth Green Flag, the afternoon also consisted of the official opening of the new school buildings and a tree-planting ceremony by Archbishop of Tuam, Francis Duffy.

Attendees were treated to various musical delights when students performed traditional Irish tunes, a rap, set dancing and a rousing choral number during a ceremony in the school gymnasium.

Eóin Browne, Principal of Newport NS, extended his thanks to all who helped deliver the school’s new facilities.

Local politicians Cllr Peter Flynn, Cllr Christy Hyland, Alan Dillon, TD and Michael Ring, TD, all attended the ceremony and were thanked for their support of the school.

Dedication

Mr Browne also expressed his gratitude to former school principal Bríd Chambers, and Board of Management Chairperson, Joe McGovern, Michael Horan, Michael Cooney for their work and dedication to the new school building.

“If it wasn’t for Ms Chambers, and for Joe, and for the board of management who have helped run the school over the last few years, we wouldn’t be sitting in this lovely hall today, or we wouldn’t have the lovely classrooms either side of the lovely extension at the end,” Mr Browne told those gathered.

Representatives from the school’s parents’ association, Newport TidyTowns, Burrishoole GAA Club, Sheridan’s Centra and Burrishoole Community Partnership were also welcomed, as were Parish Priest of Newport, Fr Tod Nolan, and Archbishop Duffy.

Joe McGovern, Chairman of the Newport NS Board of Management, said that the occasion marked ‘a very special day’ for Newport. He also echoed Mr Browne’s thanks to various individual as well as former school principal Bríd Chambers

“We are honoured by the building you see here today, a building of the highest quality for a school that is second-to-none,” he said.

Mr McGovern also acknowledged the ‘dedication and professionalism’ of the schools’ teachers and staff in making the school a success.

Raising Newport National School's tenth Green Flag was former staff member Bríd McAuley, assisted by pupils Anna Grange, Mikaela O'Brien and Ollie Keane.

Investment

ARCHBISHOP Duffy thanked the Department of Education, Deputy Alan Dillon and Deputy Michael Ring for the government’s investment in education.

“We’re becoming aware of the importance of our beautiful countryside, and this is a beautiful part of the country here in Mayo,” added Archbishop Duffy, who is a native of Co Cavan.

In recognition of his dedication to the school board of management, Joe McGovern was presented with a picture from local artist Daniel Plavernieks by Colman Moran, a student in Newport NS.

His fellow board of management member Martin Dillane also received a presentation in recognition of his work from student Molly Murray and school caretaker Paddy Chambers.

Archbishop Francis Duffy was presented with a copy of ‘St Patrick’s Church, Newport 1918-2018 - A celebration of Burrishoole Parish’, while TDs Michael Ring and Alan Dillon were presented with maps of Newport.

Visitors received a tour of the school’s new facilities before the honour of raising the school’s tenth green flag was bestowed to Bríd McAuley – the woman who began the Green Schools programme in Newport NS over 20 years ago.

Accompanied by local Parish Priest of Newport, Fr Tod Nolan, Archbishop Francis Duffy blessed the school grounds with a sprinkling of holy water.

Archbishop Duffy then planted a tree at the front of the school with the help of Newport NS students Lee Mac Donnacha and Niamh Collins.

Proceedings concluded with a great round of applause when Bríd Chambers and Joe McGovern cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new school building.