Bishop officially opens St Joseph’s new £2m extension

Bishop officially opens St Joseph’s new £2m extension

14 November 2018

A NEW £2m extension at St Joseph’s Primary School, Carnacaville, outside Newcastle, has been officially opened.

The project — completed in the school’s 180th anniversary year — includes four new classrooms.

Other features of the significant investment programme as part of the Department of Education’s School Enhancement Project include a new entrance, multi-purpose hall, kitchen, changing rooms and toilets.

In addition, the main school building was refurbished providing two classrooms, a resource area, staffroom, multipurpose room and medical room, while most of the temporary accommodation was removed.

Guests at Friday’s opening ceremony included the Most Rev Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor.

Work on the project started in January 2015 and was completed in October 2016, with the investment project managed by the Education Authority and the work carried out by Maurice Flynn & Sons Ltd.

The Department of Education’s Permanent Secretary, Derek Baker, congratulated St Joseph’s Primary School on the new extension and on its 180th anniversary.

He said: “I am especially pleased that this major investment has made such a difference to this school, creating new classrooms and other vital space while, at the same time, retaining an important piece of local history by enhancing the original national school which opened its doors in 1838. 

“These excellent facilities have been delivered under the School Enhancement Programme and are evidence of the very real benefits for our schools estate, providing much-needed facilities and creating a better place in which pupils can learn and flourish for many generations to come.”

Mr Baker added: “Many thanks to all of those involved for their hard work and consideration in delivering this scheme.”