Education Minister, Peter Weir, has attended the official opening of Loughries Integrated Primary school in Newtownards.
The school opened as an integrated school on 1 September 2016 and is the first in the Newtownards area to go through the transformation process.
Speaking during the visit, the Minister said: “I welcome the opportunity to visit Loughries today to help the school celebrate their move to integrated status. One of the most rewarding elements of my job is visiting schools and meeting pupils and staff and the talented children at Loughries have certainly entertained me today.”
Continuing the Minister acknowledged the role of integrated and shared education to the development of a more tolerant and shared society in Northern Ireland.
In conclusion, he said: “I commend all the school staff for their hard work and determination that has got them to where they are today. Whilst today marks a significant milestone for the school, integration is an ongoing process and I wish everyone well for the future as you seek to expand and grow the school.”
During his visit to area the Minister also visited Glastry High School and met with staff and pupils of the school.
Notes to editors:
- Follow us on Twitter @education_NI
- See photos from the Department of Education in our flickr collection.
- Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned.