‘Go-ahead’ for Glenroe school refurbishment
Glenroe school’s central position in its community is set to take a further step forward as a builder is sought to carry out the refurbishment of the school building.
At present, principal Julie O’Connor and her pupils are working remotely but are set to return to the prefabricated building located in the playground. That will change however by next year, as clearance has been given by the Department of Education to seek tenders for the project at Glenroe Community National School (CNS).
“This will see a full refurbishment and modernisation of the main building, including state of the art resources to deliver effective teaching and learning.
“It is fantastic news and it really shows the hard work of the parents’ council and the local community, along with the partnership with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.
“All the hard work is paying off,” Julie O’Connor told TheAvondhu.
The refurbishment will see the inside of the main building painted and other alterations made - it will also include smart boards in classrooms and other facilities, both inside and outside the structure, providing a stateof-the-art educational facility when the school reopens after the summer.
Julie said that the remote learning has been a ‘very positive experience with fantastic engagement across various platforms’.
The school also has more good news, as there will be three extra pupils joining the school as it returns to classes next week.
“It’s great to be moving forward and it is very exciting. Things are going very well, it has been nothing but positive. There is a very active community, who have a hands on approach with everything, they are so supportive, particularly during Covid-19 and helping implement the measures,” Julie added. PROCESS UNDER WAY
Commenting on the approval, George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, said: “The process has commenced whereby a design team appointed by the ETB will draw up plans to refurbish the existing building, appoint a contractor and manage the construction project over the coming months to provide state-of-theart facilities for the pupils in the school.”
Glenroe lost its school, the former Scoil Mhuire in 1990 but a lengthy campaign, led by a committed group in the local community, saw it re-opened last September. The effort and partnership between the local working group from Glenroe/Ballyorgan Community Council, the Diocese of Limerick, Department officials and Limerick and Clare Education and Training
Board has certainly paid dividends.
Julie O’Connor was appointed principal after a selection process. A graduate of St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, she holds a Masters in Education and had previously taught in Mallow Convent Primary School.
Julie has taught a range of class groups from First Class to Sixth Class during her time in Mallow. Previously, she taught Junior Infants in St Mary’s National School in Ashbourne, Co Meath. She is a coordinator of the Droichead programme which is the Teaching Council integrated professional induction framework for newly qualified teachers and has considerable experience as a member of the board of management in Mallow.