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25/08/2009
Razed Whitehouse School Reborn
Pupils at a Co Antrim primary school destroyed in an arson attack will next week be back at their desks.
Whitehouse Primary School is ready for the new term despite the school being destroyed in the July incident.
Already, a local politician, the SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns (pictured) has praised the "fantastic effort" of everybody involved in getting ready for the new school term just 37 days after it was attacked by arsonists.
"This is a superb achievement from all involved at Whitehouse Primary," he said.
"I wish to congratulate everyone who made that extra effort for Whitehouse and hope the new facilities, whilst created from not ideal circumstances, will provide an excellent temporary base for the next generation of pupils."
He commented after what has been labelled a 'Herculean effort' resulted in a new school being created a few hundred yards away at Newtownabbey Community High School.
"This has been a remarkable achievement by all concerned," said Eilish Mallon, Head of Development and Planning at the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
"Everybody has worked together in a spirit of co-operation - the principles of the two schools, teaching and support staff from both schools, the caretakers and cleaners, maintenance staff and the various contractors have all played a part - not forgetting the support of senior officials from the North Eastern Board and the Department of Education who have enabled the work to be completed in double quick time," she added.
By the start of term next week everything will be ready for a smooth opening for the 375 pupils.
Teachers have even given up the last few days of their holidays this week to go in and set up classrooms ready for lessons on September 1.
Whitehouse Principal David McConkey expressed his thanks to everyone who had contributed to getting his school back in business in record time.
He said: "We are grateful to so many people. The whole school community and the general local community have been most supportive.
"This new accommodation will just be a temporary home for the school and we will see a start made this term on a completely new Whitehouse Primary School and Nursery Unit building on the site of the former school destroyed in the fire," he said.
The remains of the destroyed school building on the nearby Doagh Road - also in Newtownabbey - are in the process of being cleared for longer-term development.
See: Minister Slams School Arson Attacks
(BMcC/GK)
Whitehouse Primary School is ready for the new term despite the school being destroyed in the July incident.
Already, a local politician, the SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns (pictured) has praised the "fantastic effort" of everybody involved in getting ready for the new school term just 37 days after it was attacked by arsonists.
"This is a superb achievement from all involved at Whitehouse Primary," he said.
"I wish to congratulate everyone who made that extra effort for Whitehouse and hope the new facilities, whilst created from not ideal circumstances, will provide an excellent temporary base for the next generation of pupils."
He commented after what has been labelled a 'Herculean effort' resulted in a new school being created a few hundred yards away at Newtownabbey Community High School.
"This has been a remarkable achievement by all concerned," said Eilish Mallon, Head of Development and Planning at the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
"Everybody has worked together in a spirit of co-operation - the principles of the two schools, teaching and support staff from both schools, the caretakers and cleaners, maintenance staff and the various contractors have all played a part - not forgetting the support of senior officials from the North Eastern Board and the Department of Education who have enabled the work to be completed in double quick time," she added.
By the start of term next week everything will be ready for a smooth opening for the 375 pupils.
Teachers have even given up the last few days of their holidays this week to go in and set up classrooms ready for lessons on September 1.
Whitehouse Principal David McConkey expressed his thanks to everyone who had contributed to getting his school back in business in record time.
He said: "We are grateful to so many people. The whole school community and the general local community have been most supportive.
"This new accommodation will just be a temporary home for the school and we will see a start made this term on a completely new Whitehouse Primary School and Nursery Unit building on the site of the former school destroyed in the fire," he said.
The remains of the destroyed school building on the nearby Doagh Road - also in Newtownabbey - are in the process of being cleared for longer-term development.
See: Minister Slams School Arson Attacks
(BMcC/GK)
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