WATCH: Minister Foley officially opens the new school buildings at The Downs NS

Minister for Education Norma Foley and Bishop Tom Deenihan officially opened the new school buildings at The Downs NS this morning in front a large crowd.

Speaking at the opening of the state of the art new facilities, Minister Foley paid tribute to the teachers, students and the wider school community for their contribution to school life at The Downs and for how they coped with the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“It is unimaginable the manner in which schools have had to redirect their talents, particularly so in the last two years...coming to terms with all the public health rules such as social distancing, the using of masks.

“..School staff got on with the job of doing what had to be done in the best interests of the students. The department would say very clearly that a lot of resources were made available to schools, but I am very conscious that the resources are of little or no value if there isn't good will on the ground and there was extraordinary good will on the ground.

“To the staff at the school, and I include everyone who contributes to the running of the school, I say a very sincere thank you. We are indebted to your generosity, resilience and imagination.”

School Principal Derek Butler told the large crowd in the specially erected marquee that the current staff of the school “didn't make this school, it was made for us and we are carrying on a tradition that is long been established in the school”.

He also paid tribute to the wider community in The Downs for their continuing support for the school.

“There are a lot of our neighbours who are always offering to help. We are blessed having the neighbours that we have,” Mr Butler said.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Mr Butler said that the design of the new classrooms made it easier to comply with public health guidelines during the pandemic.

“From as early as the mid 1980s or 1990s the school wasn't really fit for purpose. We were housed in prefabricated buildings, some were quite old and were leaking. It was quite difficult to regulate the heat during the summer and in winter they were very cold.

“When we finally heard that we were getting the green light for a new project we were very excited...The design was almost prescient in nature. We wouldn't have been able to handle the pandemic but this new building seemed to be built with the pandemic in mind; great ventilation, high ceilings, lots of entrances and exits. We were able to split the classes up in pods and bubbles much easier.”

During a tour of the new buildings with Minister Foley, Mr Butler spoke about the strong links that the The Downs NS has with former students and the fact that four of the current staff were pupils.

Minister of State Peter Burke attended the official opening. He says that the high number of former pupils that have returned to teach at The Downs NS is a positive reflection on the school.

“It's a pleasure to see the new development and it is going to be a huge asset to the school in the future. What is really striking is that the school has four past pupils who are now members of staff. It shows the strong ethos in the school and the value of the school to the community.”