CRISP packets, photographs and a ball of wool were among the items unearthed at Limerick School Project this week after students dug up a time capsule buried in 1989 to mark the school’s 25th anniversary.
The first students of the O’Connell school, which was originally located on Cecil Street, buried the capsule with the then Minister for Education Mary O’Rourke.
This Monday, the current Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan was on hand to examine the contents of the capsule with pupils.
While the ravages of time had taken their toll on the contents of the capsule, the children were eager to see the photos and notes left by their predecessors.
Also included in the capsule were crisp packets to represent the children’s favourite snack, chalk as the children 25 years ago thought that the schools of the future might not have chalk, and wool to represent the school’s knitting club.
“This is a very special school as it was the first of this kind where everybody from all different backgrounds come to learn together. I was here 25 years ago when the Limerick School Project first started and I remember when the time capsule was buried in the ground by then Minister Mary O’Rourke. I’m delighted as Minister for Education that I’m able to be here today to mark this special day,” commented Minister O’Sullivan.
She then announced that Monday was to be “a no-homework day”, to the delight of the pupils.
The Limerick School Project was established in 1989 with two teachers and 56 pupils, today the school has 221 pupils, nine teachers and is located in a bright and airy purpose built building on O’Connell Avenue.
“The Limerick School Project has come a long way from its early days. And as we celebrate our 25th anniversary we pay tribute to the parents who started the school. It was thanks to their forward thinking, enthusiasm and determination that we have such a fine school today,” said Principal Orla McCoy, who has been teaching at Limerick School Project since it first opened its doors in 1989.
As part of the school’s 25th anniversary celebrations, Limerick School Project pupil’s will perform ‘The Magic of The Musicals’ in the Lime Tree Theatre on February 17 and 18.
There will also be a reunion for former pupils (aged over 18) taking place on April 18 in Dolan’s.
