VIDEO: ‘Rainbow Room’ special needs unit offically opens in Boyerstown
The new purpose-built 'Rainbow Room' at St Joseph's NS in Boyerstown was officially opened last month.
Meath West Deputy Damien English was joined by Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Josepha Madigan as well as parish priest Fr Andy Doyle for the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new special needs unit which also saw all the pupils of the school in attendance with teachers, principal, Cathal O Bric and Board of Management members.
Of course, very special guests for the occasion were the Rainbow Room's first students, Abbie Gleeson of Abbeygrove and Willow Carroll from Fordstown.
Willow has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy and epilepsy, is non-verbal, a wheelchair user, PEG-fed and has a range of complex medical needs.
The new unit features state of-the-art sensory equipment and teaching aids as well as a sensory room complete with waterbed and LED lights and installations as well as hoists to help lift the children if needed.
"Willow wouldn't be able to go to school if they hadn't provided this unit at Boyerstown. It is three years in the making and principal, Cathal Ó Bric made huge efforts to ensure she is accommodated," said Tracy speaking to the Chronicle back on Willow's first day in school back in February.
Meanwhile Abbie had been travelling to school in Drogheda, spending two and a half hours each day on a bus before joining Willow under the tutelage of teacher Ms Geraldine Tierney Smyth and SNAs Sandra and Orla.
"The new unit is wonderful. Abbie just spends a few minutes now on a bus and comes home in great humour," says her delighted mother, Suzanne.
Willow has also been thriving since she started school.
"She loves it. She is absolutely delighted. She goes out at yard time and I am really excited to see how she does with all this new stimulation," says her mum, Tracy.
"She has a proper classroom and it is very structured. She goes into the main junior infants class and they go into her.
"Her teachers, Geraldine Tierney-Smith and Special Needs Assistants, Orla and Sandra are great."
Principal, Cathal O Bric is delighted the unit is up and running and said "it has been a very positive experience for us and for the two girls and their famillies."
He recalled Tracy approaching the school about a Special Needs Unit three years previously when she couldn't get a place for Willow in Navan.
"It involved talking to other schools, getting the support of the Board of Management who were very supportive, talking to the Department of Education and National Council for Special Education to ensure we got the funding for the equipment and personnel needed.