Staff, pupils, parents, governors, CCMS representatives and members of the local parish and wider community of Dromore recently marked the official blessing of the new extension at St Dympna’s Primary School and the blessing and opening of the Canon Thomas Breen Memorial Garden. The blessing and the official opening were led by Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Joseph McGuinness and Parish Priest Fr Patrick MacEntee and Fr Denis Dolan P.E.
The extension, came into use earlier this year and boasts beautiful, new classrooms, new offices and staffrooms and additional accommodation including a Learning Support room, meeting room, reprographics room and nurture room, all equipped with the most up to date technology. It has been dedicated to, and placed under the special protection of, St Padre Pio. Members of the local Padre Pio group brought a first class relic to the blessing which toured the school as it was blessed by Diocesan Administrator Monsignor McGuinness.
The Canon Breen Memorial Garden was the idea of the teacher Mr McLaughlin who co-ordinated the efforts of the School and Eco Councils, pupils and staff, and volunteers from the community and beyond to put the garden together. The statue of Canon Breen was created by local artist Paul McGovern and a grotto created in the garden in order to inspire and promote devotion to Our Lady. Ulster Wildlife and Omagh District Council have also helped the Eco Council to learn about wildflowers and create a wildflower patch in the garden as part of their ‘Adopt a Bee’ campaign.
The opening of the extension reflects the success of the school which has grown rapidly over the past ten years and now has seven classes from Years 1-7 with children taught in single year groups. The school boasts state of the art facilities and surroundings for children with an excellent staff including eight teachers, fourteen classroom assistants and eight support staff.
Local firm, ADP Architects, created the design for the new extension which was built by local builders, Noel McQuaid and Son and the project was very ably co-ordinated by EA Western Region Senior Architect Gerard Fitzsimons.
Mrs Susan Haughey, Principal reported that 2017 had been a very successful year for St Dympna’s Primary School. The school has retained the Inclusion Quality Mark with Centre of Excellence status for three years in a row and celebrated a very successful Inspection with a report published in March 2017 in which the Leadership and Management, Provision for Learning and Outcomes for Learners were all found to be ‘Outstanding.’
Sporting success has also been celebrated as both the boys and girls football teams making the Tyrone Cumann na mBunscol finals day with the Girls’ team emerging as Tyrone Champions in June 2017.
It’s all about the children at St. Dympna’s and with the dedication of staff and support of parents and the wider community we plan to continue to build on our achievements, celebrate them together and go from strength to strength!
Here are some photos from the event.
