Bishops blesses new school playground

CHILDREN at Newmarket’s Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire are enjoying the use of their new playground.

Bishop Kieran O’Reilly met with children and staff at the school on Monday to bless the playground. The playground is being used by all the children but special features have been included to help children who have difficulties with motor skills.
The playground has several pieces of equipment that have been installed over a soft pour surface, while there is a track for tricycles around its perimeter.
It also features a ‘blackboard’ area and other sensory equipment is to be added. Some tricycles and bikes have been donated by parents for use.
Central to the development of the playground was the success of a fashion show held in Dromoland last September, which raised some €26,000. This was organised by the school’s parents’ council and it, along with some other activities, meant that a cost of €29,000 could be met.
School principal Ann McMahon said the playground is very popular with the pupils.
“We have 183 children and they can all use it and we’re out in it a lot. All the pupils can use it but we also have a programme of work for children to develop their gross motor and fine motor skills.”
She acknowledged all who had worked to make the playground a reality.
“We have a brilliant parents’ council, who did a fantastic job of fundraising. We’ve also got some donations of bikes and trikes. It’s not as safe to cycle on the roads as it was once but they can cycle around the track here,” she said.