20.04.2023
‘Give thanks for the people who believed in the future’ – Dedication of Glebe NS extension
There was joyous celebration in glorious sunshine this morning (Thursday April 20) when the long awaited extension to the Glebe National School in Wicklow town was dedicated and officially opened. The whole school gathered in the newly enlarged school hall to witness Archbishop Michael Jackson bless the fantastic new building which includes four large bright new classrooms, two purpose built special education rooms and the principal’s office.
The project has been about 17 years in gestation with generations of pupils of the Wicklow Parish school contributing to numerous fundraising initiatives over that time. The current pupils were joined by members of the school’s board of management, the architect Ronan Rose Roberts, former principal Hilda Heavener, former Rector of Wicklow Canon John Clarke and a representative from the Department of Education, among others.
The Glebe School Choir, under the direction of Mr Thompson, got proceedings underway with a beautiful performance. The current Rector, the Revd Jack Kinkead, welcomed all the special guests. He gave thanks for all the people who had worked so hard to achieve the great goal of the construction of the extension and read Psalm 127.
The Archbishop praised the collaborative effort which brought the new school building to fruition. “The idea to extend the school came long before you were born. Now you have the opportunity to enjoy it. I’m really delighted to be here today to see this new extension. We give thanks for the people who believed in the future because we are now living in that future,” he said.
He commended those who worked on the extension and the pupils, teachers and support staff who made the school such a happy place to be, to learn in and to be present in. He prayed a prayer of dedication and led the school community in the Lord’s Prayer.
School principal, Sandra Bryan, who has overseen the project since its inception, said the Glebe’s teachers, staff and pupils were all thrilled with the new extension which replaces three prefab classrooms which were located on the site. Another classroom inside the existing building has been turned into a staff room.
