By Veronica Corr
There was tremendous excitement at the new Holy Family School building in Cootehill on Thursday last, June 17th, when the Minister for Education, Norma Foley visited the facility at the request of Fianna Fáil Deputy Niamh Smyth. When asked if the visit to the school had been a highlight of her tenure in education, the former teacher said that it most certainly was and she even committed to returning for the official opening of the new school building.
The school community was well represented at the informal event and there was a joyous atmosphere as management, staff and pupils alike expressed delight at the provision of their new school. Minister Foley was visibly impressed by what she saw and she engaged with the pupils both in a question and answer session, receiving presentations and then a walkabout/meet and greet. There was singing and sign language too, with the students dedicating their opening song to Minister Foley, which was to the tune of Hallelujah.
Minister Foley joked that even her husband had never wrote a song for her — but on a more serious note, she said that it was a memory she would treasure. Former Dáil deputy Dr. Rory O’Hanlon, a founder member of The Holy Family School, which was originally located in The Holy Family Hall in Carrickmacross, speaking to The Northern Standard….
