Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan TD will officially open Coláiste Íde agus Iosef, Abbeyfeale, this Friday 11th December at 1.30pm.

The minister will also unveil a piece of art commissioned for the new Community College under the ‘Per Cent for Art Scheme.’ The artwork, titled ‘Planting a Seed,’ involved active participation from the students and wider community. Inspired by Isaac Newton, it establishes a connection between the school and the renowned physicist and mathe-matician, widely recognised as one of the most influential scientists of all time.

The artists are Carol Anne Connolly and Augustine O’Donoghue. They wanted to bring the theme of excellence in education and science into the project and felt that Newton repre-sented such excellence. The pair also visited Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire, the birthplace of Newton; there they were presented with seeds from the famous 400 year old Flower of Kent apple tree (under which Newton had his ‘Eureka’ moment) to bring back to Abbeyfeale.