Donard supports Omagh blaze school

Local pupils, teachers and parents at Donard are gathering together resources and funds to contribute to Arvalee School’s recovery programme following the fire, which destroyed the entire building just days before pupils were returning to begin this school year.

Principal of Donard Edel Lavery, said the gesture is one of support for the school after such a terrible tragedy.

“What happened at Arvalee was just awful,” said Edel. “We had parents coming in to us and saying how terrible it was and we just thought it would maybe be helpful if we could get some resources together to help them out while they are in temporary accommodation.”

Staff at the school have photocopied various resource materials for teachers at Arvalee and are collecting pens, paper, pencils, exercise books and so on to help pupils as they get into the new school term.

Forensic scientists and police are still working together to establish a cause for the blaze on August 31, initially believing the fire was started deliberately.

Principal Jonathan Gray, the Board of Governors and the Western Education and Library Board said they are grateful to parents, as well as the children and young people in Arvalee School for their tolerance and patience at this time.

Edel added, “This is just a token of support for the school, the pupils, the parents and the teachers. We hope to make a presentation to them next week.”