I thought it would be nice to give a little update on something I posted about last November. Back then we had just had a pre-enrolment day for an Educate Together school we hoped would get the go ahead in Greystones. Over 230 children were pre-enrolled that day but it was only the beginning and at that point we had no idea whether or not we’d be successful. Well, it’s almost a year on and this Monday morning our brand new school will open for its very first term!
It’s a cliché I know, but it really has been a rollercoaster. There was the elation when our school was approved, quickly followed by fear that we wouldn’t get a site. Then there was the happiness of finding out that the school would be built on a beautiful spot on old farmland only to hear soon after that the building wouldn’t be ready. It’s been a lesson in local politics, planning and the workings of the department of education but today the keys were handed over and we have a school (there are more photos of the handover on the school blog). I’m so proud of all the others in the Start-Up Group, I wasn’t able to give as much time as I would have liked to the project lately thanks to crazy work commitments and the lion’s share of the work fell on just a few shoulders. There’s an understandable weariness now that the school is ready so I hope everyone will be able to step back and just enjoy the moment when the doors open.
There’s still a lot to be done, only one of the buildings is ready (we only need one for now since there will only be 2 classes for the first year and there’s plenty of room in just one of the buildings to house both our school and the Gaelscoil we will be sharing with), the tarmac was still being laid as we did our tour. Not to mention we will be spending the weekend moving the furniture into the classrooms. Still, the school looks amazing, would you believe these are actually temporary buildings and that construction began just 2 months ago? They’re a far cry from what you would expect when you hear the word “prefab.”
On Monday, 12 new Educate Together schools will open around the country, that’s the largest number of new ET schools ever to open in one year so far. Now we just need an Educate Together secondary school!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Phil 08.30.08 at 12:50 am
Great to hear that its going so well on the school opening front. Those are really great pics.
Also great to see a school with a pretty wordpress blog.
Grannymar 08.30.08 at 10:40 am
May all the Mondays hold excitement!
blankpaige 08.30.08 at 3:33 pm
Congratulations on a great project.
hammie 08.31.08 at 7:46 am
Well done to all involved. Knowing something about the workings of the Dept of Ed’ myself I am very impressed with what the determination and negotiation of your group has achieved.
A big smile for once.
Have a wonderful first day.
xx
redmum 09.01.08 at 9:28 am
Oohh lovely shiny new school. It looks brill! Well done
gingerpixel 09.01.08 at 1:57 pm
Thanks everyone!
Gavin 09.01.08 at 6:46 pm
Really nice pics… I can almost smell the newness!
Tim Hoy 09.02.08 at 4:22 pm
I continue to be inspired by your work. I really want you to exhibit at our Clerkenwell launch. No strings - just an opportunity to display and sell your excellent work in a prime location with good Guinness.
gingerpixel 09.02.08 at 8:33 pm
Thanks Gavin and Tim (I’ve sent you an email Tim).
Teary Jo 09.03.08 at 10:27 pm
Oh, please, we need to hurry up on the ET secondary - we’ve only got 8 years before my daughter finisheds primary and I’ve nowhere to send her!
Rojo 09.13.08 at 5:16 pm
Can’t believe it’s a temporary building - looks a far cry from my christian brothers primary school. Although, I really did love it!
TigerTom 09.15.08 at 7:57 pm
The bottom pic is the best one. Nice lighting effect.
K8 09.17.08 at 10:41 am
It’s about time we had some young innovative blood taking Ireland into the present! Kudos on such an amazing feat… may it be filled with countless budding geniuses (genii?)
steve white 12.16.08 at 12:39 am
why is temporay /
They’re a far cry from what you would expect when you hear the word “prefab.”
hmm think of them after ten years.