Construction gets underway on Navan’s new Scoil Naomh Eoin

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey performed the sod-turning ceremony at the site of the new 16-classroom school for Scoil Naomh Eoin in Navan on Monday. Contracts for the school were also signed that day. The new school has 16 classrooms, with an additional six resource rooms, a computer room, library, huge hall and playing pitches. The school, which opened in 2003, will have accommodation for 450 pupils. There are currently 330 students on the roll at the school. The principal, Mary McMahon, said: “All of the pupils, staff and parents are delighted with the prospect of this beautiful modern building which will be equipped with the utmost in up-to-date technology. The school community is very grateful to Navan Parish for purchasing our site and for funding the access road.” Construction has already started on the building and the contractors are Glenman Corporation. Mr Dempsey said: “Following ongoing representations by me on behalf of Scoil Eoin National School, I was pleased to learn in August that State funding was agreed for a new 16-classroom generic repeat design (GRD) school. This new school will be of enormous benefit, not only to today’s pupils, but also to the future generations that will be educated here.” He said the new school building will help the pupils of Scoil Eoin to achieve their ambitions, personal, vocational, social, sporting and cultural, developmentin a modern and up-to-date setting that has its roots in a long tradition of vocational education in Navan. “I want to commend the parish for all their support through funding this project. This is good news for the county, as this project will create much-needed employment in the area. I cannot commend highly enough those who have championed this project. It is important to ensure that this school receives the support it deserves for a successful future.” He added: “Today marks a day of celebration for teachers, staff and pupils of Scoil Naomh Eoin and it is very good news for the people of Navan. So many new families have moved to Navan in recent years and I know what a difference good schools like this make to these families.”