Pictures: Quarter-century wait comes to an end with opening of school

A CORK secondary school has marked the opening of its new permanent location in Carrigtwohill, the culmination of a project which has been anticipated by the local community for close to 25 years.

Carrigtwohill Community College, now based in a state-of-the-art building on Station Rd, began accepting pupils in 2016, starting with 45 students and 17 staff at a temporary location in Fota Business Park.

Now, Carrigtwohill Community College has more than 750 students and 80 staff members situated in the brand new facility, which received an investment of more than €42m from the Department of Education.

The facility was described by Education Minister Norma Foley at the initial ‘tuning-of-the-sod’ ceremony as the “most ambitious” project undertaken by the department to date.

“The community has been waiting for 25 years for the school to be built,” said a spokesperson for Carrigtwohill Community College Parents’ Association.

“We are very proud of the new building and all the students and teachers, past and present. It’s a great day for the village.”

The official opening yesterday saw students, parents, and teachers in high spirits, and events kicked off with a live bagpipe show, followed by a “round-the-block” march, singing and musical performances from pupils, and finally an address from Carrigtwohill Community College principal Lorna Dundon.

At the opening of the new facility, Ms Dundon told The Echo that she is “very proud” of the work that has been put into developing the school, from the Department of Education and Cork Education and Training Board, alongside staff, parents, students, and the community of Carrigtwohill, who have rallied together to bring the new building to fruition.

“This is for the people of Carrigtwohill; it really is a proud and exciting day for us,” she said.

“We have been in temporary accommodation since 2016, which we really loved, but it did lack certain facilities. Our students who have gone on to college have said they never missed out, but we didn’t have the same amenities as we do here. We have a new gym and larger outdoor areas for the kids to enjoy.

“The facilities here are second to none, and there are few education organisations in the country that would be at this level, so we are really delighted that our students and staff get to be trailblazers of all that is new in the world of education.”

Some of the facilities at the new building include general classrooms, a science laboratory, a metalwork room, woodwork room, technical graphics room, home economics kitchen, music room, art room, a computer laboratory, a basketball court, sports hall, two social areas, and canteen.

“Our students are making history today,” said Ms Dundon. “They are the heart and soul of the school and are what we are all about.”

Ms Dundon also praised the commitment of students to the new building, telling The Echo of some who took time out of their midterm break to assist in the set-up and delivery of the opening day, which she described as a testament to the character of pupils who attend the school.

“I am immensely proud of our students’ dedication to their academic progress and personal development, and to their compassionate spirits, particularly when their peers rely on them for strength,” she said.

“Our teaching staff have shown unwavering commitment to the school, making it a place where everyone can feel valued and respected. We look forward to a new beginning in our new home, bringing all that is good from our current existence.”

Carrigtwohill Community College is a post-primary school under the co-patronage of Cork ETB and the Diocese of Cloyne.