Southside’s new schools revealed

LOCAL TD and Minister Josepha Madigan has welcomed indications from the Department of Education that a new primary school for Goatstown and Stillorgan is to be located on the old Irish Glass Bottle (IGB) site in Goatstown.

The new primary school is due to open at a temporary location in Sandyford in September 2019 before eventually moving to a permanent location in Goatstown.

 Minister Madigan stated: “I was recently informed by the Department of Education that agreement in principle has been reached with a local landowner for the Department to acquire a site which would be a permanent location for the new Goatstown/Stillorgan Primary School.

All indications from the department currently are that the location in question will be the IGB site in Goatstown.

 “This proposal is at a very early stage, and will be subject to the usual planning procedures, as well as title, contract and conveyancing,” the minister added.

 “It is important that the planning process takes account of the need for appropriate access to the site for local people, as well as the need for green areas and appropriate traffic management. This should not be a closed site.

“Overall, I welcome the commitment and investment in a new school for the Stillorgan and Goatstown area.

“Such a move is a reflection of the growing population in the area, as well as the Government’s commitment to investing in education and ensuring that all our communities can benefit from a growing economy.” 

The new primary school will be under the patronage of Educate Together.

 Meanwhile, a new Gaelscoil in Blackrock, Gaelscoil Laighean, will open in Kill O’ The Grange, this September.

Gaelscoil Laighean is a multi-denominational primary school teaching through Irish.

A statement   reveals that the students will have the benefit of immersion education through Irish for the first two years, easily facilitating children to become bilingual.

“And then, the added bonus of a third language will be introduced,” the statement adds.

“We are delighted to have Aoife Ní Scolaí as our newly appointed Principal. Her extensive experience in education and Irish culture will be a great asset to the school.”

The school will open with Junior infants only this year and parents have been invited to register for Junior Infants 2019 from now.