SELB Chief cuts the ribbon to open new section of school at Sperrinview
Sperrinview Special School Dungannon.INTT4012-317SR
THE Chief Executive of the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB), Tony Murphy, has praised the commitment and dedication of teaching and management staff in ensuring the completion of a new section of the building was “one more piece in their jigsaw” of providing a first class educational experience to its children.
Mr Murphy was speaking at the Official Opening ceremony for the new section of the school - which has increased classroom space as well as a new independent living teaching area and library - last week.
The SELB chief said it gave him “great pleasure” to be present for such an important occasion.
“I would like to compliment everyone involved in providing these (facilities)”, Mr Murphy told the assembled guests and pupils.
“Firstly, the Board of Governors and the principal, Miss Paula Jordan, and the teaching staff for their forward planning - they know exactly where they want to go with the school and this development is one more piece in that jigsaw.
“I would like to thank my own Board for its work in setting priorities for capital investment, and I am very pleased that Mr Plunkett Campbell is present with us today to celebrate this wonderful occasion.
“The Board has established criteria for prioritising capital development and has been responsible for progressing a significant amount of this work over the last two years.
“This work is referred to as ‘Minor Works’ and, on top of this, the Board has completed a rebuild at Banbridge Academy and has begun a project to replace Dromore Central Primary School on a new, greenfield site that the Board has acquired.
“Much is said at the moment about the economy and there is no doubt that there are significant financial pressures for all of us but it is worth noting that government continues to put significant funding into capital investment.”
Mr Murphy praised the work of project manager, Paul McGilton, SELB, and the Architectural Services of the Board managed by Ms Glenda Hall.
“The Board has an outstanding architectural resource and plans to play a significant role in taking this service forward within the new ESA, which begins to move forward next week”, Mr Murphy continued.
“The various design team members have been mentioned already but I would also like to commend the architects and consultants. The works were completed under very tight deadlines in two phases.”
Paying tribute to the school in particular, the Board Chief Executive continued:
“Sperrinview Special School is a very well-run school and provides a very good quality education.
“The school inspection in 2007 reported “the quality of education provided in this school is very good.
“The educational and pastoral needs of the pupils are being well met”. To achieve such a standard and such a positive report requires good management from the principal, Board of Governors and teaching and other staff.
“The report also documented that “the main strengths of the provision are the consistently good leadership and management” in references to the principal, senior management and Board of Governors. It also referred to the high quality teaching, assessment and planning.
“I would like to commend the school for all of its achievements and acknowledge the work of the Board of Governors, the principal and senior management, the teaching staff and all of the support and ancillary staff and, on behalf of the Southern Board, thank you for this.
“When the school was awarded the Investors in People Award in July of this year, the final report highlighted a number of things which are well worth reflecting on today: Very open and engaging culture with strong emphasis on friendship; Very good internal communications with people kept well informed on all aspects of the school; There is great inclusivity to learning and development at the school; There is a very strong family friendly culture at the school; Everyone believes in putting the children first (school motto – ‘Where Pupils Come First’).
“For the future, I would like to wish Sperrinview all the very best in taking forward its programmes and to wish you all well with these new facilities which will hugely complement the activities you are engaged in, particularly with 14-19 provision.”
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Weather for Dungannon
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
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