WATCH: St Finian's and St Mary's new shared campus is best practice, says minister

The shared campus model for St Finian's College and the new home for St Mary's Special School is “best practice” for modern education.

That was the message from Minister for Education Norma Foley, who turned the sods on both building projects this morning in Mullingar.

Minister Foley said that “the model of St Finian's and St Mary's working hand in hand is a model of best practice”.

“It is what we are striving to achieve in education. If we speak of inclusion we should see it, as much as we speak of it.

“Inclusion at its best is a shared campus where we have both schools working hand in hand. It is a joy and privilege as minister for education to be here today. To celebrate not just the buildings, but more importantly the people who inhabit them.”

St Finian's principal John McHale said that the turning of the sod marked an important landmark in the 222 year history of the school, which moved from Navan to Mullingar in 1908.

“As we look ahead to the future we are filled with excitement and anticipation for the many opportunities and possibilities that our new college development will bring.

“Our school population has grown steadily over the past number of years. In September of this year, we will enrol 880 students. Many of our current students and generations to come will benefit hugely from a state of the art educational campus that reflects the dedication of our students and staff to the pursuit of excellence in the broadest sense while still preserving our Catholic diocesan ethos.

“In that context it is wonderful that we will share a space with St Mary's Special School. Our future connections can only enhance the quality of our educational provision.”

Ann-Marie Connolly, principal of St Mary's Special School, which will be moving from its home of over 70 years at South Hill, Delvin to the shared campus with St Finian's, said that the new facility will be “a home for the promotion of excellence in teaching, learning and assessment in special eduction”.

“If every child matters, every child has the right to a good start in life. If every child matters, every child has the right to be included. That is so important to children with additional needs,” she said.