Athlone's new secondary school opens its doors

Athlone's newest secondary school – Coláiste Chiaráin – opened its doors yesterday, Tuesday August 29, as 90 first years began their education at the school.

The school sees the amalgamation of St Aloysius College and St Joseph's College, Summerhill, and is located at Summerhill. 

Staff and students will be housed in the Summerhill school building, which has undergone renovations, and temporary accommodation consisting of 16 classrooms until the new building is complete.

Principal of the new school Brendan Waldron said of the new school building: "The Department is keen for the project to progress and we're still on the list for 2018."

When complete, the new campus will be able to accommodate 1,000 pupils.

He said the school held a staff day on Monday and were looking forward to welcoming all of the students to the new school this week.

"It's exciting times and we're looking forward to it. There's a huge note of optimism and we're looking forward to the challenge," said Brendan.

He said that while there will be some adjustment moving from single sex schools to co-ed, for both students and teachers alike, he expects people will adapt quickly.

"At the end of the day we're teaching students, whether they are boys or girls and as for the students themselves, teenagers are quite adaptable," he added.

He said there will be supports in place to help people to adjust.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent on Monday afternoon, Mr Waldron said: "We're here now, we've had a full staff day today and we're ready to go."

"We will hold an induction day for each year as they come back to school, to introduce them to the building, the teachers and go through the rules and so we're bringing them in on a phased basis for that reason," he explained. 

Coláiste Chiaráin opened its doors yesterday and an official opening, with the trustees of the school and Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran, who is the patron of the school, will be held at a later date, it’s understood.