Minister of Education Caitríona Ruane visits our school

On Thursday 20th January 2011 our school celebrated the beginning of our new school build. Minister of education Catriona Ruane, visited St. Joseph’s along with representatives of CCMS, the SELB, The Department of Education for Northern Ireland and our school Board of Governors.

All guests were welcomed to the school by Primary 6 and 7 pupils and treated to a performance of traditional Irish music and song by the school choir and traditional group. This was followed by an address from Mr. Charles Fanning (chairperson of the Board of Governors) Mr Donal Flannagan (Chief Executive of CCMS), Mr. Loughran and Minister of education, Catriona Ruane.

Minister Ruane spoke of her joy in securing education in Madden for future generations and highlighted the outstanding nature of education in the area. She outlined the hard struggle which our school has gone through to achieve the new build and wished her support for future success.

Pupils, staff and dignitaries then made their way outside to view the site upon which the new school is to be built. Canon Crawley blessed the site and Minister Ruane, with the help of Pauric Donnelly, Sarah Hannan, Colleen Grimley and Tony Moore lifted the first sods of grass to the elation of all staff and pupils in the school.

Stay tuned for more information on the new school.