Simon Gets Schooled

The usual suspects… FRI4MAR22

ress release from Greystones Community College, issued on Friday, March 4th 2022…

Greystones Community College were honoured to host a ministerial visit from Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on Friday afternoon.

The Minister had the opportunity to meet with students and teachers and to discuss the exciting plans for the school’s future.

Minister Harris commented “Greystones Community College is an incredible school that had a very difficult beginning in 2020/21 when the school had to open without appropriate temporary accommodation in place. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and determination from everyone in the Greystones Community College School Community over the past two years to get progress on the design and planning permission for GCC’s permanent home. I look forward to supporting the school on this important project and working with the school community in the years ahead”.

During the Ministers visit to the College, the GCC Student Ambassador Team facilitated a ‘meet and greet’ with different first year classes followed by a gathering of the second year students, where those assembled heard from students Jenna Rice and Matthew Smirnov about their positive experiences since starting secondary school. The schools choir performed with a special recitals from Ena Dowling on violin.

Cllr Lourda Scott as Chairperson of the Board of Management also addressed the students and staff. “As Chairperson of Greystones Community College, I was delighted to hear confirmation from the Department of Education that the planning permission application for the permanent building has been lodged with Wicklow County Council. This is a big step for the Community and one we have been working towards for some time. Thanks to Principal Ruairi Farrell, the Board of Management and Parent Leadership team who have worked hard, supported by our elected representatives, in getting us to this point” commented Cllr Scott.

Along with members of the Student Leadership Team, Cllr Scott had a meeting with Minister Harris to discuss the plans for the permanent school building and the exciting journey that lies ahead as the school grows and develops.

Concluding proceedings, Principal of the College Ruairi Farrell acknowledged a sense of pride in seeing the journey the school has been on in the past two years, and the strong focus placed by teachers and students on achieving academic excellence and leaving no stone unturned in the building of relationships that make our school so special.

“We have quickly earned the confidence of the local community in developing a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive school where all our students are supported to reach their full potential,” he said.