Minister Cullen has opened €5 million extension and refurbishment to Scoil Lorcáin in St John’s Park, in Waterford city.

Waterford’s Minister Martin Cullen TD officially opened the redevelopment last Friday in the presence of the Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Mary O’Halloran and Bishop William Lee. It was a new Department of Education and Science funded extension and refurbishment to Scoil Lorcáin.

This building development sees the school, first opened in 1960 with a roll call of 205 pupils, expand with an addition of twelve new classrooms, a general purpose room, a library cum computer room, resource rooms, offices, a new entrance foyer, additional bathroom and play facilities in addition to a complete refurbishment and updating of the existing school.

Minister Martin Cullen TD said: “It is indeed a building and space which can be a source of pride to the local community. I am delighted to say that Government funding from the Department of Education and Science for this project was almost €5 million, with additional support provided by the community.”

Speaking at this the event Martin Cullen TD said: “It was the Christian Brothers who answered the call to set up a primary school here when the new housing estate of St John’s Park was being built. That school was opened officially in 1960 on the feast of St Laurence O’Toole, hence the name ‘Scoil Lorcáin,’ and for 27 years it was run by the Christian Brothers. In 1986, when the Brothers were no longer in a position to staff the school, principalship passed to Harry Flynn. The name of Harry Flynn, as we all know, is synonymous with the school, not just because he has been Principal here for over twenty years, but also because he was a teacher in the school since 1975, and before that he was a pupil here. In celebrating the opening of this building, I think we need to acknowledge the key roles played by both Harry and the Christian Brothers.”

“Thanks to Harry and his staff, this is a stable school, a happy place for boys and staff. It is a school that has proved itself through the years in the foundation it has given to so many boys to achieve and do well in life. By enhancing the prospects of its pupils, it has been one of the major factors in the sense of pride and self esteem that is today palpable among the residents of St John’s Park.”

Minister Cullen said that the official opening of the extended school is an appropriate moment in the school’s development to mark aspects of its changed circumstances. The children of families in the estate have grown up and many have left. So from being seen in the early days as specifically the ‘St John’s Park School’, children from the estate now constitute only about 5% of its population. The school now serves a wider community, thanks to the continuing growth of this area of town and the development of many new housing estates. It is to the school’s credit, said the Minister that it has “so effectively catered for these developing needs.”

“It is appropriate that I end with a word of thanks and congratulations to the Board of Management chaired by Fr Seán Melody PP and staff of the school, the Principal, teaching staff and special needs assistants for delivering an education which not only ensures competence in the academic areas of the curriculum, but which engages the children in wide-ranging extra-curricular activities and interests.

“The recognition of the importance of play, of games, of participation in aesthetic activities is highlighted today by researchers and educationalists as good practice in early education. The aesthetics of this building, its bright clear spaces, and its playing areas, provide a truly pleasant environment for work and recreation.”

The Munster Express, 17th NOvember '08