19.01.2024
Joy at Kildare Place School as New Extension Opened
The community of Kildare Place School was celebrating a significant milestone in their school’s history this morning (Friday January 19). A new extension to the 202 pupil school was officially opened by Frances Fitzgerald MEP and Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Among the other special guests were a selection of local public representatives, representatives of the architects and building contractors, members of the board of management, parents and most importantly the school children who provided excellent singing to mark the occasion.
Gathering in the refurbished school hall, principal Ian Packham welcomed everyone to the celebration of the achievement following 10 years of work. He said he was very proud of the extension and the school, its staff and pupils.
The extension comprises two resource rooms to facilitate the support and learning of the pupils as well as a new office for the principal and reception. Previously the school had no extra spaces, he explained. This meant that resource teaching had to take place in a cloakroom.
Mr Packham thanked the Department of Education for their contribution to the extension and commended the parents who fundraised extensively to ensure that the school could reach its goal. He also paid tribute to the board of management, the Archbishop and all involved in the build as well as the staff of the school for their patience while the work was going on.
Frances Fitzgerald noted that the most important thing in any school was the atmosphere, which she said was wonderful in KPS. She attributed this to the principal and staff. She observed the flags on the stage and said these showed the extra things that the school was involved in. They signalled the school’s values as an inclusive and kind place where people were cared about. She thanked the teachers and principal for their contribution. “Happy teachers make a happy school and the pupils are most important. Thank you too to the parents who support the children and the board of management who have a lot of work to do,” she said.
Chairperson of the board of management, the Revd Rob Jones detailed the history of the school which dates back to 1811. The school had always been a place of great history and was set up to promote education across the denominations. “This school has always pushed the bar – growing and developing. This next iteration of the School is following in the footsteps of those who have gone before,” he commented before praising Mr Packham for his commitment.
The final word went to Archbishop Michael Jackson who said that there was a great sense of community in KPS. He added that everyone associated with the school was committed to it and paid tribute to all who had contributed time and energy as well as money to the fundraising efforts. He congratulated everyone on their achievement in bringing the extension to fruition and told the children “your lives will be changed positively because this project happened” and offered God’s blessing on all who used the extension.
