Pupils, parents, teachers and locals basked in glorious sunshine recently as Scoil Mhuire NS Abbeyleix officially opened its new autism unit.
The school celebrated the official opening of Áras Naomh Bríd, a three classroom integrated unit for children with Autism.
Scoil Mhuire have been providing this service in different guises since 2006 and now provide an integrated education to 18 children with ASD in the school.
Construction began in January 2017 and the project was completed in March 2018.
The new facility caters for pupils aged from 4 to 13 and contains a number of features.
These include three specially adapted classrooms, a kitchen, a multi-sensory room, soft playroom and ancillary rooms, together with a general purpose classroom.
It has three full-time teachers supported by six special needs assistants.
Principal Aidan McEvoy did a marvellous job compering the day and Bishop Denis Nulty performed the official blessing.
He also visited the new garden. Thanks to Margaret Slevin for sending these pictures our way:
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