Faughart NS to reopen with new patron
AN agreement has finally been reached which paves the way for the re-opening of Scoil Náisúnta Bhrigdhe as Faughart Community National School under the patronage of the Louth Meath Education and Training Board(LMETB).
As a result of long running concerns over the management of the school, parents withdrew their children from the school last September.
A statement issued on Friday by the Department of Education and Skills and the Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, stated that had ’a very constructive meeting’ was held that day which had explored ‘ways to address the wishes of all concerned.’
Following what was described as ‘a substantial exchange’ of information and views on the processes and practical issues involved in which the Department clarified a number of matters on which the Patron had sought assurance, the Archdiocese, in association with the Parish, agreed to make the vacant school property available to the Department for educational purposes subject to an appropriate agreement.
Archbishop Eamon Martin said that he is pleased that discussions with the Department are reaching a satisfactory conclusion.
LMETB stated that they are ‘delighted to be appointed patron of Faughart Community National School and we look forward to working with management, students, staff and parents over the coming years in the provision of a primary education for the young people of Faughart and the surrounding areas.’
The Board published its vision for the school, which is set to open on August 30th, on its website. It states that the school will be ‘a multi-denominational co-educational school’, accepting pupils of all faiths and none and that the medium for instruction will be through English.
The Board says that once a principal has been appointed, consultations will take place with parents as regards the school uniform. A new board of management will also be appointed and it’s also proposed to set up a student council of senior pupils.
Councillor Tomás Sharkey, chairperson LMETB expressed his satisfaction with the divestment of Faughart NS to the Board. ‘Faughart NS has had a difficult few years,’ he noted. ‘Families chose to move their children to other areas for a variety of reasons. The causes may not be fully addressed but a way forward has been found. I am now asking that all families seize the news that LMETB will be the new patrons and register their children once again in the local school. The past is over and the future will be a good one.’