The new Dunamase College will be a “model for many” according to CE of Laois Offaly ETB, Joe Cunningham.
The school is the first of its kind in the region to offer learning through two mediums – Irish and English.
The new coloured school uniform appeared on the horizon in Portlaoise town last Tuesday as the newest post primary school in Town, Dunamase College, opened its doors for the first time.
Students wearing a shade of mid blue uniforms meandered nervously through the streets of the town and joined together in the Railway Street school for the first time as a group of first year students.
Mums and dads produced cameras for the momentous occasion, as their child started post primary school, a new phase in their growing up process.
Almost 40 first year students began their education at the new school, which has undergone a refurbishment over the summer.
Aoife Elster, principal of Dunamase College, welcomed parents and students.
“It is such a historic day for Portlaoise, where we welcome the very first students into the school. In years to come the community will look back and note who were our first group of learners, and I note that they are among us today”, she said.
The school will have a strong pastoral, science and digital focus, something required in the modern era and in the modern economy, she commented.
Mr Cunningham, CE of Laois Offaly ETB, the patron body responsible for Dunamase College, also noted that history was in the making, with a model of education involving two strands of student learning under the same school roof.
“We have a group of students who will follow their course of learning through the medium of Irish and another group who will follow their learning route through medium of the English language.
Welcome
“This school will be a model for many as it incorporates both groups within the one school building. In particular, I want to welcome the new students, their parents, and indeed the new teachers who will facilitate the student learning in the years ahead”, he said.
“We are very excited about our new school and wish it well in the years ahead,” he said.
Dunamase College is located on Railway Street, Portlaoise in a building which has been completely refurbished.
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