Teachers and senior pupils of the new multi-million pound Holy Cross College celebrated the opening of the school building on Friday with a Mass led by the Bishop of Derry, Most Rev. Seamus Hegarty and the Auxiliary Bishop Francis Lagan.
Speaking to the ‘Journal’ yesterday Parish Priest and school chaplain Fr Michael Doherty said that the Mass, which was con-celebrated by 16 priests from the diocese, was the ‘perfect way’ of welcoming the staff and Year 14 pupils into the new school
building.
“The school principal Sean Bradley did the first reading followed by the prayers of the faithful which were read by the senior prefects.
“The gifts included a carving of ‘The Madonna’ made out of ebony which was given to the school by a school in Tanzania, where pupils and teachers spent the summer as part of Children In Crossfire and the Cross was carried up by a group of prefects and teachers,” Fr Doherty said.
The college - the successful amalgamation of Strabane's three Catholic post-primary schools, the Convent Grammar, St Colman's High and Our Lady of Mercy High - has operated across the former school buildings for the past four years. However, tomorrow (Wednesday) will mark the first full school day for all 1,450 pupils in the all-ability college, which also has official grammar status.
“We have 275 first year pupils starting today, which is an increase of 80 pupils from last year’s intake.
“We are all hopeful that everyone involved in the school will have a successful year ahead in every way,” Fr Doherty said.
The official opening of the new college will be held later in the year.
The full article contains 284 words and appears in Journal Tuesday County Edit newspaper.
