Minister Norma Foley visited the school, Friday 3rd September when students received their Leaving Certificate results. The school community was ecstatic to hear that she was visiting, as last May the Department of Education had chosen the school to present to Minister Foley, Department of Education inspectors and UNICEF due to the outstanding work achieved by the school in the area of sustainability. The meeting unfortunately was held virtually. On this occasion however, she arrived in person and liaised outdoors with various members of the school community. She spoke with Leaving Certificate students and acknowledged the difficult year that they had faced. She congratulated them on rising to the many challenges that they overcame and asked each student individually what they now hoped to pursue.
Minister Foley also spoke with teachers and students. She visited the basketball court where English teacher Annette Steinbourne was conducting a poetry lesson with second year students. The student council under the guidance of Ms Lovett, spoke to the Minister in the new outdoor seating area, about their plans for the year to eliminate plastic bottles from the school. She chatted with Mary O Sullivan of Housekeeping and the canteen staff on her way to the astro turf pitch at the back of the school grounds. Minister Foley congratulated the Principal Teresa Lonergan on the excellent facilities in the school and then relayed to Ms Lonergan that she was aware of what a brilliant school Castleisland Community College is. Ms Lonergan explained to her how the school numbers are growing and an application has been submitted to the Department of Education for additional accommodation.
Minister Foley concluded that she wished to visit the school again and would venture indoors next time. A ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ awaits her on her next visit!