Opening of a new facility at St Joseph’s national school Cobh

On Monday October 23rd at 19.00hrs (7PM) there will be a formal unveiling of a new teaching facility at St Joseph’s National School. A room purpose fitted-out with modern technology and furnishings to support Nurture and Education. The room, named in memory of Mrs. Ber Keane, will be on display to view and visit that evening between 7 and 8pm. Mr Eoin Kennedy (School Principal) encourages any parents of current pupils or prospective new pupils to come to this unveiling.

St Joseph’s NS, opened in 1973, has some existing sensory and nurture facilities to help their students. Since the new school Principal arrived, he has created a strategic plan to improve the school facilities and integrate it further into the community. He has, with the help of the Department of Education and the support of the Board of Management, made great strides in this effort, but there has been a financial shortfall to complete the final works on this particular Nurture room. As a proud Cobh person, Declan Keane was approached to act as a financial supporter of these endeavours. With some private funding and the support of the Department of Education, the facilities at the school are now vastly improved, modernised and up to current expected standards. A great place to nurture the next generation of Cobh boys to be proud of.

Keane said “I am proud that my mother Mrs Ber Keane played an instrumental role in the education of hundreds of boys over her teaching career. My support for the school is a sign of my love of my home town, despite the fact I left Cobh around 30 years ago. I have great respect for the work St Joseph’s management team are doing to keep it at the heart of education in Cobh. Perhaps, many more ex-pupils will contribute back to the school and the future generations.”

A number of the former lay-teachers who taught at St Joseph’s NS in the 1980s and 90s will be attending and reminiscing on the great strides made in the school over its last 50 years since it was opened. The school would also encourage past pupils to attend the unveiling to continue in the Cobh community spirit.

About Ber Keane: A Cobh native, Ber Keane was a teacher on Great Island for most of her teaching career. She was the first person to take an interest and a leadership role in focussing on boys who needed ‘extra tuition and attention’ to help them to get ahead in life. Nowadays, many schools have special needs assistants and extra teachers to focus on the boys having a tougher time learning.

About St Joseph’s NS:
https://www.instagram.com/scoiliosaefnaofa/

About Declan Keane:
https://www.dkmscapital.com/team