The document summarizes the history of a school from its opening in 1971 in a new building with 8 classrooms and modern amenities, to expansions and renovations over the decades to adapt to growing student numbers. It highlights the addition of a junior building in 1980, an infant building in 1987, and a full refurbishment and construction of a new senior building and sports hall in 2012. The school grew from accommodating local children to having multiple classes per grade level. Extracurricular activities like sports days, productions, and choir are also mentioned.
3. Harry Allen walked the children up the side
road (Beechpark Ave) to the new school on Feb
1st 1971.
All children carried the books, maps, boxes.
32 lower road children joined the new school
The entrance was on Beechpark Avenue and
there was a long narrow driveway leading into
the school.
4. A Modern Building
The new school had 8 classrooms , twice as many
as the old school.
There was a library full of books, a General
Purpose Hall , an office, a staffroom and indoor
toilets with running water.
Each classroom had big blackboards on the walls,
lots of light with big windows on both sides , a
sink , worktop and fitted presses.
The office had a phone line and there was a tv in
the library.
5. Outside
The yards were big and smooth
There were basketball hoops and a big field
for sports
Children started staying for lunch so they
could play football at lunchtime.
8. 1971 the new child centred curriculum was
published
School was a happier less formal place
A past pupil remembers quizzes, nature walks,
projects, listening to the radio, tape recorders
and Irish taught using film strips.
Children sometimes worked in groups
Mrs. Murphy developed a school garden at the
front of the school.
11. In 1973 the first PTA was formed to fundraise for the
school.
The annual dance was held at Christmas in the GP
Hall. Supper was served in the classrooms in the
middle school.
1979 The Pope visited Ireland and Fr. O Driscoll held a
prayer service for the whole school in the yard.
School continued to grow at a fast rate and had
doubled again in size by 1980. Some classes were now
in prefabs.
In 1980 another extension was completed
13. 1980 Extension
The current Junior Building opened in 1980
8 bigger classrooms with toilets in each
room ,wet areas for art and carpets
Emergency doors in each downstairs room
and a fire escape upstairs
Wide corridors
Hot water
Staff room and Learning Support Room
15. Junior Infants remained in the old building and
Senior Infants moved to the new building
Prefabs were still in use for 1st
and 3rd
classes.
Numbers continued to grow. We already had 3
Junior Infant and 3 Senior Infant Classes.
5th
and 6th
played at front of the school
On the day of the Summer Holidays the teachers
played each other in a basketball match at the
front of the school as pupils watched.
17. 1980s Ann and Barry was the first reading
scheme used to teach reading . Before this we
used Ladybird Books.
1982 corporal punishment was abolished.
A photocopier was purchased by PTA
TVs on trolleys and video players were bought
20. 1983 on
Holy Communion and Confirmation were held in Porterstown .
Parents helped bring children up every day for practices the week
before the ceremony
After each communion the priest had a garden party in his house
next door for children and parents.
School Uniforms were introduced in 1986
In 1983 the church was built . In the same year a prefab was set on
fire one Halloween. There was a lot of vandalism around the school
so a fence was built.
The entrance to the school was moved from Beechpark Avenue to
Beechpark Lawn. The long drive up to the school became the
footpath outside Chrysalis.
Oliver the musical was performed nightly for a week. It was
produced by Mr. Doyle
22. In 1987 the Infant Building opened.
While it was being built we were allowed use
prefabs in Blanchardstown as temporary
classrooms so three 6th
classes were bused
there every day
In December 1990 the first school magazine
was published.
23. 1990s
The School Sponsored Walk was held on the
M50 in March 1990 the day before it opened.
1991 The Library was moved to a prefab and
a year later after a big donation from Ben
Dunne, the computer room was opened. A
printer was also installed.
1994 Mrs. Williams took over the Senior Choir
and in 1996 they won Feis Ceoil.
25. Sports Days
1970 School sports held on the field (where sports hall
is)
1976 Sports moved to Sundays in Castleknock College
One year we held the Sports during school on Church
Green
Sports were then moved to St.Brigids All Weather Pitch
26. 2000s
2003 Mr. Courtney became Principal.
2005 President Mary Mc Alese visited us.
Whiteboards were installed
2007 Library was computerized.
2009 Digital School Award
2011 All three buildings were refurbished during
Summer Holidays.
Mrs.Murphys garden and school field were
demolished
2012 Senior Building and Sports Hall built. Split Break
and reduced yard space
28. 2012 New Building
8 new classrooms with sliding storage areas
3 story building
5 Learning Support Rooms
Staff Room , Conference Room, 3 offices and
disabled shower room.
New garden, Library and Sports Hall
Soft Surface in Infant Yard
Staff Carpark
29. The Number 3
3 Important Years 1865 1971 2013
3 Principals: Harry Allen, Dave Nolan, Denis
Courtney
3 Deputies: Dave Nolan, Terry Beirne, Noelle
Mac Donagh
3 Secretaries: Mrs. Kitterick, Mrs.Lineen,
Ms.Mooney
3 Caretakers: Peter George, Peter Walsh,
Derek Kelly
30. 2013 Official Opening
Cloak Sculpture at front of school
2014 Grandparents Day in 2nd
Choir of the Year
Many Sporting Successes