Gaeilge
Students and staff both past and present enjoyed a fun-filled day at the 75th Anniversary Celebrations of Finn Valley College Stranorlar on Friday 16th October 2015. Celebrations commenced with an Ecumenical Service at the new School followed by a Tree Planting Ceremony. The tree, a Cherry Blossom, was planted with the assistance of two ladies and former pupils from the very first Class at the school in the 1940’s, namely, Mrs Eileen Harkin (nee Gallagher) and Mrs Rose-Agnes Mc Dermot (nee Boland). This was followed with a Parade which ambled along Stranorlar Main Street to the former School, now the home of the Finn Valley Centre for Education, Stranorlar. Many of the current staff and students marked the transition of 75 years of education by donning the dress of different eras. A reception was held for a number of invited guests at the former school with refreshments being provided and a guided tour of the former school building which has seen some transformation since its change of use to a Centre for Education.
The new school assembled an impressive and large display of memorabilia including photographs of bygone days, and right up to the present time creating a visual history of the achievements of the school. Old documents and roll books belonging to the school were also available for viewing. These displays were on exhibit to members of the public to peruse on the Friday and the Saturday afternoon.
Well done to all at Finn Valley College who made the event a remarkable success and to all those who contributed in any way, big or small. A Special note of thanks to Ashlean McGeehan, who carried so much of the co-ordination and organisation of this event.
A word from Alan Thompson, Principal:
“It gives me great pleasure to be a part of the historic 75th anniversary celebrations for Finn Valley College. There is so much to celebrate as over the last 75 years students and staff alike have left an indelible imprint on the Finn Valley area. Real history is about people. It is rooted in community. Finn Valley College in all of its guises – technical school, vocational school and now as Finn Valley College – has always been at the heart of the community and therefore at the heart of the history of the area. As the Finn Valley area took its first steps towards second level education it was to Finn Valley College that they turned. And, so many families have continued to turn towards our school in the decades since then. We thank those families and we welcome all of our past and current students, staff and families to join with us in the celebrations.”
The fun does not stop here, remember to book your tickets for the 75th Anniversery Winter Ball in the Villa Rose Hotel on the 27th December, Champagne reception on arrival and music by the Cufflinks – should be a great night out!