Greystones Community College were honoured to host a ministerial visit from Stephen Donnelly TD, Minister for Health last Friday afternoon. The Minister had the opportunity to meet with students and teachers and to discuss the exciting plans for the school’s future.
'I was thrilled to meet the seriously impressive students and staff of Greystones Community College’ remarked Minister Donnelly. 'It's been an incredibly difficult two years for young people who have been massively impacted by the pandemic but despite everything, managed to show an extraordinary level of resilience’ added the Minister.
‘I'd like to especially commend the school's Mental Health Committee which is focused on student's mental health - a really important area of health and wellbeing’. During the visit, the Minister had the opportunity to meet representatives of the Jigsaw One Good School Team who outlined the various different wellbeing initiatives in the school and also the Amber Flag Team who work hard to promote Greystones Community College as a happy and positive place in which to learn.
Following the successful granting of planning permission for a state-of-the-art permanent building for 1000 pupils, Minister Donnelly commented ‘The news is a massive boost for the school which has faced a series of serious challenges over the past two years. Staff had to cope with teaching from a temporary home in the Greystones Tennis Club and the parents, staff and students have had a tumultuous couple of years trying to get the school adequate temporary accommodation. But despite the challenges they have managed to do a fantastic job in setting up a fun and exciting learning environment for the pupils’.
During the Ministers visit to the College, the GCC Student Ambassador Team facilitated a ‘meet and greet’ with different second year classes followed by a gathering of all first year students, where those assembled heard from students Abigail Langrell and Morgan Durston about their positive experiences since starting secondary school. Invited guests heard lovely contributions from the school’s choir under the direction of Ms. Jones along with special recitals from Ena Dowling on violin.
Minister Donnelly acknowledged all the great work that is currently being achieved in the school stating ‘I will continue to help in any way I can to make sure the school continues to have a bright future’. Among the invited guests were Cllr Gerry Walsh who represented the schools Board of Management, Mr Scott Anderson who represented the Parent Leadership Team and Jayden Astbury and Naomi Wall representing the Student Leadership Team.
Concluding proceedings, Principal of the College Mr 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 excellence and leaving no stone unturned in building the relationships that make our school so special. ‘We have quickly earned a reputation in the local community as being a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive school where all our students are supported to reach their full potential” he said.