A dhaoine uaisle, tá an áthas orm a bheith in bhur dteannta inniu chun bhur síneadh nua a fheiceáil agus bhur halla spóirt a oscailt go hoifigiúil.
It is a pleasure to be with you all today to see the educational and sporting facilities provided for the sons and daughters of Athy and its hinterland.
One of my functions here today is to officially open your sports hall. I know that there has been a considerable time lapse between its completion and this official opening. In the meantime, you have already demonstrated that a sports hall of this calibre can help you to reach your full potential in all of the sporting codes you participate in.
At the time of the hall's completion, I understand that the Minister for Education and Science was to perform the opening. Sadly, the occasion had to be postponed due to the untimely death of Ms. Murphy. Here today I know that many of you recall her tremendous commitment to the school. And I am sure that, had she been alive today, Ms. Murphy would have been delighted, as indeed we all are, to see the two schools progress to this important milestone in their respective histories. Not only have you got a fine new sports hall but you are well on the way to amalgamating Scoil Eoin and Scoil Mhuire and availing of the resources that the new Ardscoil na Tríonóide promises.
The other great development, from my perspective, is that the principal to be appointed will be Anthony Creavy. I am delighted to see him taking Government policy to heart and decentralising from Dublin down here to Athy. The new school will present Anthony and his staff with huge opportunities and challenges in the years ahead. I have no doubt that if Anthony brings the same dedication to teaching the children here as he does elsewhere, the future of education in Athy is a bright one indeed.
I would like to commend the excellent teaching staff of both schools, and principals Tony O'Rourke and Mairéad Coffey, for their commitment and also the wonderful steering committee and various working groups who have prepared the way for the amalgamation process. Now that stage is nearing completion.
As you look ahead, it is important to reflect on and integrate the best qualities of both schools. This will ensure that the students of the future can benefit from the legacy of both religious orders and the lay teachers who have passed down values grounded in Christian faith and respect for others. The schools can be very proud of that heritage of faith, which stretches back a century and a half. Amalgamations create a great opportunity to share qualities and enrich the learning process and school life over all.
Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers, and Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, are two people who sacrificed so much to bring the light of learning into the community. They belonged to a much different era but their philosophies are timeless. In this age of great change for Ireland, they provide continuity and guidance for our young people as they embark on their future paths.
Both Scoil Eoin and Scoil Mhuire are fortunate to have been rooted in great teaching traditions. Back in 1861, though the Christian Brothers worked extremely diligently to provide an education, their limited resources confined them to a curriculum of arithmetic, reading, grammar, bookkeeping and geography. Now by stark contrast, your generation has a curriculum of great choice, wherever your talents might lie. In addition, you have the excellent sports hall and other facilities for a variety of field games.
The sporting successes of both schools have been outstanding especially in Gaelic games, soccer, rugby and basketball. Your principals have told me that many pupils have also represented their country at under age level in several sports. In rugby they were finalists in the Junior Development Cup last year, while the girls went on to win the all Ireland Basketball and are also very keen players of one of the fastest growing sports in the world - ladies football.
Given your record so far, you are making good use of this excellent sports facility. It is part of the schools' joint commitment to promote the holistic development of pupils. And I am glad the Government has given over a €1 million in funding towards the hall and a further €5 million towards the school extension to accommodate your plans.
You have an outstanding record right across every sphere of educational and cultural activity. Today I would also like to commend all of the pupils and teachers who have won individual awards in essay writing, art, debating, sports, community involvement, environmental conservation and Gaisce too. The breadth of your achievements reflects not only your own talents but the commitment of the school in involving you in as many areas of endeavour as possible.
I would like to conclude by wishing you all every success with the merge next September. I am sure it will be the start of an exciting new chapter in the history of the two schools as much as for the individual students and teachers themselves.
Thank you.
ENDS