Bishop Andrew was in County Donegal, on Thursday morning (October 26th 2023), to bless the new extension to Robertson National School in Stranorlar. The building was decked out in bunting and balloons as the school also celebrated its 60th birthday.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed jointly by Mrs Bonnie Oliver and local T.D. Joe Mc Hugh who, four years ago – when he was Minister for Education & Skills – announced the extension to the building.
Bishop Andrew was accompanied by the Rev Mervyn Peoples who has been pastoring to the Stranorlar Group of Parishes since the departure of the Rector, Rev Adam Pullen.
The entire staff and student body gathered outside, at the front of the building, as the Bishop led them in prayers asking God to bless all present and to bless the new extension. “May our children grow in wisdom and grace before you and all your people,” Bishop Andrew prayed. “May this school always be a home of truth and wisdom, of faith and goodwill towards all, and may this school help our community and build your kingdom of justice and light and peace.
“Almighty God, we give you our school, we give you all the teachers and staff who work here, we give you all the children who study here. We pray our school will be a place of great discovery and adventure and creativity. May it be a place where we love to learn and learn to love, a place where everyone is respected and all are deeply valued.”
Robertson National School was built in 1963 to replace the old school on Main Street, Stranorlar (where Andie’s Superstore is now). The school is under Church of Ireland management but welcomes all faiths and none
The building was first extended in 2007 to include two new classrooms. The grounds were updated in 2009 to provide a soft play area and ball courts. In the latest extension, a further classroom, a new office and SET rooms have been added.
