Weir welcomes £19.6million new build for St Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen.
Education minister Peter Weir has attended a sod cutting ceremony to mark a new school build for St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen.
The project represents an investment of £19.6 million by the Department of Education.
Speaking at the event the Minister said: “I welcome this £19.6m investment which represents a significant milestone for St Joseph’s High School.
“Once completed, this new school will provide much needed education benefits for pupils, staff, teachers, parents and for the wider community.”
The construction project will see the completion of a new school building, sports facilities, car parking, and bus set down areas.
Ongoing Investment Important For Future Education
The Minister continued: “Ongoing investment in our schools estate is essential if we are to continue to provide a high quality education for all our young people.
“As well as the investment in our schools estate, it also helps the local economy and secures construction jobs.
“Schools are very much the hub of any community and this major investment will create many positive outcomes.”
Acknowledging the work of the school and its stakeholders in bringing the project to this stage the Minister added: “I would like to thank everyone involved in this project for their hard work and commitment in getting this project to this stage.
“I wish you every success as you embark on this new chapter for your school and I look forward to returning, in the not too distant future, to see the new school building standing on this site.”
Byrne Pays Tribute To The Late Cllr Geraldine Donnelly Who Campaigned As A Board Member For The School.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council councillor Peter Byrne said: “After more than a decade of campaigning for modern facilities for the pupils of South Armagh, I’m delighted to see work finally underway, marked by the cutting of the sod today.
“This is the result of relentless lobbying by St Joseph’s principals past and present, the board of governors, the wider community and local politicians.
“As a local SDLP Councillor, I feel personal delight on two fronts. My predecessor, the late Geraldine Donnelly, worked tirelessly over many years to ensure we got to this day.
“Geraldine Donnelly championed this new facility as a local Councillor and a member of the board of governors at the school, relentlessly, and I am sure she’s smiling down on everyone involved today as the sod is finally cut.
“As a maths tutor, I have worked closely with hundreds of students from St Joseph’s over the last 10 years and I’m delighted that the future generation of students will have the support of the new exceptional facilities.
“The investment is an investment in our young people and will no doubt propel them in their future careers.
“As local politicians, we must continue to lobby to ensure future numbers are catered for at St Joseph’s.
“With enrollments out-weighing proposed capacity, there is a lot more work to do to ensure the future of students in this area of South Armagh is properly resourced.”
Coade Welcomes Investment In Crossmaglen School.
Newry and Armagh Alliance representative Jackie Coade has welcomed the announcement by Education Minister Peter Weir of £19.6 million for a new build for St Josephs High School Crossmaglen.
Speaking on the announcement Ms Coade said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see such investment by the Education Minister and his commitment to provide high quality education for our young people.
“Such investment in any school is very welcome but it is great to see it here in Newry and Armagh.
“When I was canvassing Crossmaglen during the 2019 General Election this issue came up at the doors quite a bit and with the new build scheme being first announced in June 2014, I know the people of Crossmaglen and surrounding areas will be delighted with this news.”
“The construction project will see the completion of a new school building, sports facilities, car parking, and bus set down areas.
“As a teacher and a mother I want to reaffirm my commitment to fighting for our young people and holding the Department of Education to account. However in this instance it is great to have some positive news coming from the Minister.”
