Golden jubilee celebrations at Bridgetown school

THE Bridgetown community  toasted the success of its local national school at a celebration to mark its golden jubilee on Thursday.
Former past pupils, including board of management chairperson, Batt Skehan and Tom Spaight, who attended the old school, which was on a different site way back in 1958, were present for the celebrations.
Like a lot of rural schools in South-East Clare, families such as the Conlans, Whelans and Skehans have generational ties with the old and the new school. In fact, some families could trace their descendants back to 1916 on one of the several roll books provided in the school as part of the festivities.
Proceedings got underway with the celebration of mass in Bridgetown Church, which was concelebrated by Fr Noel Hayes, Fr James Grace, PP Killaloe, Fr Rodgers and Fr Cleary.
Members of the Bridgetown National School hurling team, who reached the Cumman na mBunscoil final where they were beaten by Clooney-Quin, and the camogie side, who also reached the decider only to be defeated by St Senan’s, Shannon, were praised during the mass. Patricia Furlong trains the hurling team, while Kathleen Gibbons looks after the camogie side.
Vice-principal Mona Kelly read a reflection, which spoke of the united position of parents and teachers in sculpting a young person’s future. Principal Orlaith Foster talked to the congregation and acknowledged their support since she took over from former principal, Michael Drew.
The Green Flag awarded by An Taisce was raised by the oldest girl in the school Laura Howes, Bridgetown and the youngest boy, Cormac Quinn, Bridgetown.
A new school crest with symbols of the school garden, music, books and extra curricular activities and new school jerseys were also unveiled on the night.
The event was also marked by a tree planting ceremony, which was considered a symbol of the learning and growth that children will continue to experience in Bridgetown school. Green Schools coordinator, Eimear Moloney spoke about the symbolism of the tree and the importance of the Green Schools initiative to the school.
School children run their own committee meetings and implement their own green actions around the school with the help of staff members, Pat Keane and Marion Howard and the resource teacher, Kathleen Gibbons, who fostered a love of the environment and gardening.
People were invited to view the art exhibition organised by the junior and senior infants teacher, Fiona Walsh in the school. All the proceeds of the display will go towards purchasing a new interactive whiteboard.
Projects completed by the children, old roll books, interviews with past pupils and a series of old photographs were displayed for the attendance at the school. Many parents were impressed with old traditions kept alive in Ms Kelly’s classroom with her pupil’s knitting display.
Ms Foster described the event as a historic day for the school. “I was honoured to be part of the whole event. It was fantastic to see all the elements coming together so well. I have only been in the job since 2008 and I have found the community spirit is excellent. Everyone in the village is so supportive of the school,” she said.