Minister Foley in Longford to officially open impressive €1m Scoil Mhuire NS Newtownforbes extension

Scoil Mhuire NS Newtownforbes was abuzz with excitement this afternoon as Education Minister, Norma Foley, officially opened the newly built National School extension.

Principal Noel McKeon gave an overview of the history of the Newtownforbes learning centre.

Scoil Mhuire started out as the ‘Scoil ar an gCnoc’, in the 1960’s on the present school grounds and has grown and developed over the years.

Originally it was a one-roomed school built to cater for the education of boys from 2nd to 6th class. In 1969, a four-roomed pre-fabricated structure was erected following the amalgamation with a local two-teacher school.

A three teacher school was erected in 1981 to replace this prefabricated school. Extensions were added to this in 1993, 2007 and 2015.

Principal McKeon said the school's strong links with the village of Newtownforbes has shaped generations of children. He commended community stakeholders for their strong support to make the €1m extension, which will accommodate three extra classrooms and a sensory room, a reality.

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The Scoil Mhuire Principal acknowledged the contributions of staff, the board of management and parents in the process.

Principal McKeon said the school offers a broad programme of education sports and other extracurricular activities.

The pupils are encouraged to take part in football, hurling, soccer, athletics and swimming competitions and have been awarded County titles for both boys and girls. Fr Cieran McGovern performed a blessing of the new extension.

Minister Foley said she was thrilled to be invited to Scoil Mhuire for the opening of the extension. The Minister spoke of the vital contribution the staff play in the lives of the pupils, not just in the daily education, but also the extra-curricular activity: “It takes someone in the school to put up a hand and say 'I will do this'. You provide limitless opportunities for the students with your exceptional contribution. It is a credit to you.”

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The Minister pointed to the Amber and Green Flag the school has achieved as well as notable sporting achievements.

The Minister was presented with two poetry books written by pupils of Scoil Mhuire and a handmade brooch depicting a squirrel, a symbol of Newtownforbes,