Minister for Education and Science visits Loreto Crumlin

Mary Hanafin, Minister for Education and Science, today visited Loreto College Crumlin Road to officially open the newly refurbished Home Economics room which was completed at a cost of €186,000 under the Summer Works Scheme.

Minister Hanafin was greeted upon her arrival by Jamie Glynn and Jade Fitzgerald, two Fifth Year LCA students who were part of the organising committee for her visit. She then visited all the junior cycle classes where she engaged with the students in a very relaxed manner, clearly enjoying the chat and banter with them as she asked advice from business students (who told her she should save her money) and home economics students in whom she confided she can't cook! In the science labs, she encouraged the girls to continue with their studies in science, emphasising the need for science graduates and her particular desire to see more girls go into this area.

Minister Hanafin then addressed an assembly of senior students, parents and staff, saying how pleased she was to be invited to open the Home Economics room. 'But a room is just a room' she said; 'it's the people and what they do who make a school'. Referring to Loreto Crumlin's proud tradition in offering a quality education in the area for many years, she urged the students to seize every opportunity offered by the school which excels in so many areas: art, music, sport and particularly debating. She singled out the five students who are in the Denny All Ireland Schools' Debating finals, noting that no other school in the country has as many finalists as Loreto Crumlin. Extra curricular activities are as important as their academic subjects, she told the students, as they are character forming and develop the skills and qualities they will need to succeed in life, such as flexibility, teamwork, leadership, creativity. Minister Hanafin told how debating at school had been invaluable to her in her career. Skills she learnt at school have stood the test of time as she engages in debates every day in the Dail, on TV and at conferences.

'If I have one message for you today' she said 'It is that every girl here has the opportunity to go to third level if she wants to'. There may be obstacles on the way and it may be tough at times but if you really want to, you can do whatever you want.

Minister Hanafin then cut the ribbon and declared the Home Economics room officially open.

The new room has 10 individual self contained work stations with integrated appliances. The state of the art ventilation system uses the most up to date technology to ensure a safe and pleasant working environment. The room is also equipped with workstations for 4 computers which will further facilitate the teaching and learning of this well loved subject.

Minister Hanafin was accompanied by Michael Mulcahy TD and Cllr Charlie Ardagh.