Knocktemple officially opens multi-sensory room

Published: Thu 3 May 2018, 4:24 PM

Last updated: Thu 3 May 2018, 5:26 PM

Knocktemple National School yesterday (Wednesday, May 4) officially opened a new multi-sensory room while simultaneously celebrating 10 years since opening their first ASD unit.

Attending the opening was Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath, school patron Bishop of Kilmore Leo O'Reilly, as well as Cavan TD's Niamh Smyth, Brendan Smith, Senator Joe O'Reilly, and local Councillor Shane P O'Reilly.

The fully equipped multisensory room, which started out as a mere meeting room idea in November 2016, came at a cost close to €18,500, funding for which arrived via various events including a Garth Brooks tribute band night in the Hotel Kilmore in February 2017.

Piror to the official ribbon cutting ceremony, Deputy McGrath told those in attendance: “This year is a massive milestone for the school which opened its first ASD classroom in 2007. This is now complemented by two additional ASD classrooms and the new multi-sensory room and I'd like to commend the whole community here for this achievement.”

School principal Vincent Mulvey noted that while the school celebrates their achievements to date, “we also look forward to continuing our journey as we plan further developments to enhance our facilities. We are in the process of upgrading our outdoor facilities and we are hoping to develop an outdoor play area that will provide further opportunities for inclusion and integration in our school.”

One of the many standout moments of the day was hearing from exceptional young man, Cailan Acan, one of many Knocktemple NS pupils preparing to enter secondary school next year.

Cailan started as a Junior Infant in Knocktemple's ASD class in 2010.

For mum of a eight-year-old Finn, also attending Knocktemple, Regina Colwell said as parents of children with special and additional needs they are very a\wate of the importance of their children's sensory processing diet being met throughout the school day.

“It is comforting to know that the children now have their sensory 'place to go' available within the school, and accessible when and how they require it.