REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW PLAYGROUND AT ST. MICHAEL’S HOUSE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW PLAYGROUND AT ST. MICHAEL’S HOUSE SPECIAL NATIONAL SCHOOL
I would like to thank you for the very warm welcome this morning – and for the lovely flowers which were presented to me on my arrival earlier. I am delighted to join with the parents and staff – the Board of Directors and the Parents Association – and of course the children of St. Michael’s House Special National School – on what is a great day – a day which you will remember always.
Most of all for me, this is a very welcome opportunity to visit you school - and to meet everybody here at a truly great place – a special place for special people. St. Michael’s has a unique spirit of learning – a sense of caring and loving that the parents and teachers have for the children who come here for their education – to enable them to play a full and active part in society – and to achieve a high level of independence through building skills and confidence. I think it is a great tribute to those who give of their time and energy so generously – helping the children of the school to learn about themselves – to look after themselves – and to take their own special place in Irish society today. The parents and children are very lucky to have so many people who are prepared to lend their help and support – to work at making St. Michael’s a warm and friendly place – a place that cares.
I suppose you could say that the success of the school is really the result of a constructive ‘partnership’ between organisations and people who are concerned for the well-being of children with special learning requirements - the Department of Education, St. Michael’s House itself, the Board of Management, the teachers, the Parents Association, the parents themselves - indeed the many who help with the school and the facilities.
But it is a wider partnership as well – a partnership that sees you linking up with some of the other local schools in an experience that yields dividends for the children both here and at the other schools. By giving them the opportunity to take classes together in such areas as PE, drama, computer skills, art and crafts, they are all gaining invaluable experience in life and “people skills” – in reaching out to others with different abilities and needs. These are experiences that will stand to them later when they move on to playing their own roles in society.
I know that this new playground has involved a tremendous amount of work and commitment – that enormous praise and gratitude is due to the many people who have played a part in making a wonderful dream into a reality. There were many sponsors who gave generously and willingly to the project – and I am aware that everybody at the school is conscious of the tremendous debt that is owed to them for their support.
In any school, the main focus is on education – children learning to take their place in society – and to discover their own unique talents to do that. The skills that we learn at school are not always measurable – it’s not always possible to pick up certificate or awards – school isn’t always about tests and certificates. As you go through school you learn to cope with your own situation – you learn how to deal with the challenges and obstacles that life puts in your way – and importantly, you learn how to take the opportunities that life presents. School is about developing the mind – and about releasing your talents. Your teachers and carers – and your parents and families – work hard to help you through school. They’re there to advise and support you - they are special to you. I want to pay a particular tribute to them for what they do for you – and for the loving and caring that helps you to get the best from your education.
You have a wonderful school here – a great place to learn and to be happy. It takes a lot of work and commitment to keep the place going – and a lot of dedication and care. I hope that the new playground will open new horizons for all of you – and continue to make St. Michael’s House Special National School a happy place in which to learn.
ENDS