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Friday
13 September 2002
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| Donard
School in Banbridge celebrates official opening |
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| Friday
13th September was certainly a lucky day for staff and
pupils of Donard School in Banbridge, as UTV's Frank
Mitchell performed the official opening ceremony of
the £2 million facility. |
| The
school designed by the Southern Education and Library
Board (SELB) Architectural and Property Service Department
took 14 months to complete and comprises 7 classrooms,
a multipurpose hall, a home teach unit, dining area,
soft play and sensory rooms and separate rooms for speech,
physio and occupational therapists. It is one of 5 special
schools in the Southern Board area, symbolising the
continued dedication and commitment the SELB have to
providing education for children with special needs. |
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| The
school's senior band welcomed visitors with a rendition of
"Memory" from the famous musical "Cats".
In preparation for the big day, pupils had decorated their
classrooms and corridors with illustrations and artwork. Invited
guests included Southern Board Chairman Mrs Moira Alexander
and Chief Executive Mrs Helen McClenaghan, Chair of the Board
of Governors Mrs Carole Quinn and Mr David Heron, Chair of
Banbridge District Council.
School Principal Mrs Freda Wylie stressed the continued enthusiasm
shown by both pupils and staff for the new school was wonderful,
she said " I have been told that the staff look years
younger". Mrs Wyllie continued "and more importantly
we can offer pupils a much broader curriculum without leaving
the premises. There is also an increased pride in the school
- the pupils and staff thoroughly enjoy "showing it off"!
Helen McClenaghan, Chief Executive of the SELB spoke of her
delight at being involved, she added "The parents who
so strongly support this school now know that the school has
the resources to develop the good work and the care for the
girls and boys for which Donard is famous".
The new building is modern and up to date in style with much
use of bright colours. There is a safe play area in a "U"
shaped courtyard directly connected to all the classrooms
and the school also has an external play area with a range
of equipment.
The main contractors were F B McKee and Co Ltd, Belfast with
the Harvey Group, Belfast as the main electrical installators
and the Litton Group of Lisburn for mechanical installation.. |
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