A teacher and one of her former Junior Infant pupils have joined forces to design a major new extension to a Killygordon school.
Ms Mary McGranaghan is now the principal of Dromore NS where she taught Anita Quinn when she was in her second year there.
However, Anita has grown up to become an award-winning senior architect with McCabe Architects in Donegal town. She returned to school last year and was reunited with Ms McGranaghan to work on plans for a major new extension.
And Anita passed her latest test with flying colours – last week Donegal County Council granted permission to Ms McGranaghan for the new development.
In a statement on the school’s Facebook page, Ms McGranaghan said: “Architect Anita Quinn, my Junior Infant past pupil, and I worked together as she designed this beautiful new build during the pandemic.
“Consisting of two additional infant classrooms interlinking to an integrated play room and outdoor learning area, along with a range of other facilities being built, it will take education through active learning and play to another level in Dromore, ensuring all children will be nurtured happily with state of the art facilities and excellent staff.”
Among the many messages of support, one parent commented: “What a fabulous alumni story! Great to see the success of past pupils and having an impact on the school today too.”
Architect Anita Quinn in her Junior Infant days.
Anita replied: “Thanks so much everyone! We’re delighted to be involved in this exciting new phase of Dromore National School.”
The proposed development will consist of accommodation for pupils with special needs as well as a separate building for mainstream children.
According to planning documents, the school has already been approved for funding for the new extension from the Department of Education.
As part of the latest development, the school will also lay a new connection to the wastewater treatment plant in Killygordon village.
Anita Quinn picking up another award with her colleagues at McCabe Architects.
