£3.7m building will transform face of schooling at 90-year-old St Joseph's Grammar Donaghmore

Education Minister, Peter Weir joined in the celebrations at the official opening of the new accommodation at St Joseph’s Grammar School on Wednesday.

The £3.7million investment has provided a new permanent two-storey building to house PE and drama, as well as modular buildings for science and general classrooms and toilets.

The school is one of 50 across the North to benefit from a huge multi-million pound pool of cash allocated by the Department of Education.

Approval for the Donaghmore school’s building project was first granted more than ten years ago, and it is estimated the school has spent around half a million pounds in order to maintain its existing facilities.

Speaking at the opening, the minister said: “I have been very impressed by these excellent new facilities and I am sure that the £3.7million investment at the school will have a positive impact on pupils, teachers and school staff now and for generations to come.

This scheme has been delivered under the School Enhancement Programme which provides schools with much-needed, new and modern facilities.”

Geraldine Donnelly, Principal said: “This is a truly momentous day for the school and these new facilities represent a strong endorsement by the Department of the outstanding educational experience we have offered pupils on this site for almost 100 years.

“There is a long established sporting and dramatic tradition in the area and we are confident that the facilities will be enjoyed for decades to come, not only by our own pupils but also by many local and national organisations which will be made to feel very welcome here.”