church review

Fresh Start for Athy Model School as New
Building is Opened
The children, staff, management and
parents of Athy Model School looked
forward to a bright new future for their
school at the official opening and blessing
of the new building. The beautiful new
building was dedicated by Archbishop
Michael Jackson following a service in the
school hall conducted by Revd Cliff
Jeffers. Every class played a part in the
service and the festivities concluded with
each pupil releasing a balloon
representing their hopes and dreams for
the future of their school. The old school
building burned down in March 2010.
The chairman of the board of management,
Ron Condell, opened proceedings and said it
was hard to believe they had finally reached
that day after 30 or 40 years of preparation. He
thanked the Department of Education and Skills
and all concerned in getting the new building
ready for the school. He recalled March 2011
when they were told they have their new
school by the end of August and said a huge
amount of work went into getting the building
ready on time. He thanked Bill Kavanagh for his
efforts to that end. He also paid tribute to the
parents’ association for their help with the
move and the principal and teaching staff for
their hard work and dedication.
Mr Condell said that the fire brought out
Athy’s strong sense of community spirit.
“Within eight hours of the fire, the principal
and I were called to meet the principal of the
community college who offered us
accommodation in the college,” he said
thanking the VEC, Séan Ashe and Richard Daly
for their help. “After the fire the amount of
cooperation, sympathy and help that we
received from the townspeople and the wider
community was unbelievable,” he added.
Principal, Yvonne Griffin, gave a history of
Athy Model School which opened on August 20
1852 with 15 children enrolled. Today there are
four class teachers. “The fire in March 2010 was
a low point in our history,” she commented.
“But many good points came out of it. The
community support was amazing… The old
Model building will always have a special place
in our hearts but this is a new start for us and
I thank the Department of Education for this
building. It is a state of the art facility that brings
a whole new dimension to learning that our
6 ChURCh RevIeW
Left: The chairman of the board of management of Athy Model School, Ron Condell,
addresses the packed hall at the official opening and blessing of the new building.
Right: As Archbishop Michael Jackson cuts the ribbon at the official opening of the
new building of Athy Model School, the pupils prepare to let go their balloons.
Left: Third to sixth classes at Athy Model School perform at the official opening of
their new school building. Right: Pupils of Athy Model School present their principal,
Yvonne Griffin, with flowers at the official opening of their new school building.
children deserve.” Ms Griffin thanked the board
of management, the parents, the school
inspector and the teachers and staff. She also
thanked Revd Cliff Jeffers and the pupils who
she said it was a “privilege to teach”. The new
building is located on a campus with three
other schools and their all weather pitch is the
envy of many, Ms Griffin stated.
Speaking on behalf of the parents’
association, Vivian Cummins, praised the school
and the quality of the building and campus. “We
are in a time of uncertainty and a school can
provide an anchor and concrete presence that
strengthens a whole community,” he said. He
paid tribute to the quality of the teaching staff
and highlighted the school’s strong
GIRLS FRIENDLY SOCIETY
On Saturday the 19th of May 2012 Mrs Sylvia Quinn was
commissioned as the Central President of the Girls Friendly Society in
Ireland. The service was conducted by the GFS All Ireland Chaplain, the
Rev Janice Aiton, Rector of Dunboyne. This took place in the Chapel of
the Church of Ireland College of Education in Rathmines following the
GFS Central Council meeting. Mrs Quinn succeeds Mrs Florence Higgins
who has been the GFS Central President for the past six years. Mrs
Quinn is the former GFS Diocesan President of Kilmore, Elphin and
Ardagh and is currently a leader in her local GFS branch in Longford. The
service was followed by a reception which included family and friends.
performance in a recent whole school
evaluation. He added that the parents’ role in
education was vital in explaining the
importance of education to their children.
Sixth class pupil, Ciara Rowen, spoke of her
love for her school and said what she liked best
about the school was the fact that “we are all
happy here”. She said they were lucky to have the
new school although anyone who remembered
the old school would miss its character.
Archbishop Michael Jackson said it was clear
that the school was a happy place where
everyone could join together and rejoice in
each other’s success. “We know that this
doesn’t come out of nowhere. The commitment
of the people who work here enables the
school to be a happy place,” he stated. He said
that the shared campus drew together a wide
range of people and that there was strength in
sharing together.
“When your school disappeared in flames
you may have wondered what the future held.
Yet as Mr Condell said, within hours people
rallied round to see what they could do to help.
I’m sure you already have a school motto but
‘What can I do to help’ could be your second
school motto,” he suggested. “I thank each one
of you for your willingness to find the time to
be here today and for the sense of solidarity as
the education process in Athy takes another
leap into the future.”