IT WAS a learning curve but a happy one when Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board marked the official opening of Thomond Community College’s state-of-the-art new school extension at its campus in Moylish Park in Limerick City.
The official launch of the new extension was undertaken by Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, and the event was also attended by invited guests from the school community, past pupils and local representatives.
The multi-million-euro custom-designed extension will see students and staff at the school benefit from four new general classrooms, a two-classroom Special Educational Needs base, as well as conversion works to existing rooms to provide a new Home Economics Room, Music Room and Assisted Access WC.
Speaking at the official opening, Minister Foley paid particular tribute to the students of Thomond Community College: “I come to honour you because you are the people we serve in education and you should never forget that it is my purpose as the Minister and the purpose of everyone in this school to serve you. You are our raison d’etre, which is a lovely phrase that means you are our reason for existence.”
The new 750m² extension, which will provide additional spaces for SEN education in the locality, as well as updating existing rooms to a high standard, involves an investment of more than €3.2 million by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, funded by the Department of Education’s Additional Accommodation Scheme for Post-Primary Schools.
Donncha Ó Treasaigh, Acting Chief Executive of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, said: “I would like to acknowledge the highly committed and hardworking staff led by Principal Vivienne Hogan and Deputy Principals Declan Fitzgerald and Donal Doody. Thomond Community College provides essential supports and care to all its students and in particular the students who are enrolled in special classes here”.
The Integrated Design Team for the state-of-the-art new extension was headed up by Healy & Partners Architects and included Hutch O’ Malley Consulting Engineers, Moloney Fox Consulting Engineers, and CuddyQS. The main contractor for the project was Clare company Martins Construction.
Vivienne Hogan, Principal of Thomond Community College, spoke proudly about the new addition to the school. “Thomond Community College is truly a community college because it reflects authentically the vibrant and lively local community that we have. The Northside of Limerick is a thriving and diverse community and we are privileged to be part of its growth”
She said there has been a 55 per cent increase in student intake and 26 per cent increase in progression to third level since the school opened in 2016, “so that is something that we can all celebrate here today.”
