Long wait over for Holy Family NS

Curraghmore/Holy Family National School has finally moved into its new home on the Ardmore Road and the timing couldn't be better.

Years of frustration and delays came to an end this morning, Tuesday September 1, when the state of the art educational facility opened its doors for the start of the new academic year.

Twelve months ago the school was split between three campuses as its original home had reached full capacity.

Relieved principal Mick Molloy says that the school's 350 pupils and their teachers finally have a home fit for purpose.

“We are absolutely delighted. It has given everyone a renewed sense of optimism and hope and really refreshed. We are pinching ourselves that it is ready. Tuesday is the first time we will have all our 350 pupils there for the first time together. It is also the first time that our staff of 30 will all be working under the one roof.

“We really can't wait. There is a major sense of relief that we will be in the one building and not split over the three campuses.”

In addition to having 16 mainstream classes (two in each year). Holy Family School also has an ASD wing. While schools all over Ireland have undergone major transformations in recent months to comply with the Covid-19 guidelines, Holy Family had the advantage of moving into a brand new school and all that this entails. “For a change we are in a better position than most,” Principal Molloy said.

“Basically all of our equipment is absolutely brand new, including the furniture for students and staff. We are off to a great start. We have eight different entrances/exits. Each year has their own designated colour coded door and the year's two classes are the only ones who will be going in and out of those doors. There is an overwhelming sense of space and we now have first class resources, which we never had.”

Mr Molloy, who praised the school's builder PJ McLoughlin and Son for providing a “top class, well finished school in every sense”, says that he and his staff are “thrilled” to be moving into their new home after such a long wait.

“There is a great camaraderie and work ethic here. We had our induction day for new infants last week and everyone was out at the front of the school welcoming them in. We have always had an excellent staff, who are diligent and enthusiastic; but they now have an opportunity to shine even more with our new facilities. I look forward to seeing how the school develops over the coming years in our new home.”

Mr Molloy's sentiments were echoed by the chairperson of the school's Parents Association Lisa Duffy.

“It's great to finally get started in the new building and to have everyone under the one roof. Since Covid-19 came into everyone's lives it's also a massive advantage to be a school that is so spacious.”

Paying tribute to Mr Molloy and his staff, Ms Duffy said that parents and their children are excited that Holy Family NS's new home is finally opened.

“It's great that it is finally completed 21 years after the initial application for extra classroom space was made. I feel the school community has now got the facilities that it deserves. The staff has done its best over the years in challenging circumstances. They are now moving into a new building and it will make life easier for them,” she said.