The official opening of the new extension to The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School took place today, Friday May 26th.
The new extension is the largest addition to the School since its establishment in 1970 when two of the oldest schools in Donegal, The Prior School Lifford and The Royal School, Raphoe amalgamated.
Hundreds of people attended the event including past pupils and staff, clergy, parents of pupils, members of the Board of Management, the School’s Patron, The Donegal Protestant Board of Education and current staff and pupils.
The new €1.5 million extension comprises of two Classrooms, a Chaplaincy, two Learning Support Rooms, a state of the art Computer Room, four new offices for the Chaplain, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, the Home School Community Liaison Co-ordinator and the Guidance Counsellor, a Design, Communications and Graphics Room, an enlarged Staff Room, an enlarged Music and Drama Room and refurbishment of offices and classrooms.
The new additions have improved many aspects of the school according to Dr Welch, the current Principal. He remarked: “Before the new building learning support classes were taught in a variety of locations all over the school but now all can be accommodated in a specific area which means that students and staff enjoy a better environment for teaching and learning.
“It’s fantastic to have a dedicated Chaplaincy which reflects the importance of the School’s Christian ethos. The School Roll is now just under 600 students and the additional space means a great deal to staff and students.”
The new building was approved in 2014 and was a result of over a decade of campaigning started by previous Boards of Managements and the former Principal Mr Des West.
The buildings are to be officially opened by Mark and Lynda Cookman. The Board of Management asked members of the Cookman family to acknowledge the contribution of their parents, Mr EWR Cookman and Mrs G Cookman to The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School.
Mr Cookman was the headmaster of The Royal School Raphoe from 1960 until 1970 and Principal of the newly amalgamated School until the arrival of Mr West in 1990. Mrs Cookman taught in both The Royal School and The Royal and Prior.
The School Chaplain, Mrs Jayne Chambers and the Archdeacon of Raphoe The Rev David Huss were also involved in celebrating the opening.
The 1,000 square metre extension was constructed by McDermott and Trearty Construction Ltd of Letterkenny and designed by MH Associates Ltd also of Letterkenny.
Dr Welch commented, “Although the vast majority of the project was funded through a capital grant from the Department of Education and Skills there was a substantial shortfall that had to be made up, the School had to rely on its own funds as well as a generous donation from the Parents’ Association.”
