The Stormont Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has officially opened the newly built St Mary's College, Londonderry.

She officiated at the opening of the new school along with Bishop Hegarty and three generations of St Mary's pupils.

Grandmother Connie Hegarty was a new pupil in 1959 at Fanad Drive while her grand daughter Hannah Lynch started as a Year 8 pupil in 2010 at the new site in Northland Road.

Connie's Daughter and Hannah's mother, Danielle Lynch, also attended the school.

Speaking at the event, Sinn Fein's Caitríona Ruane said: "I have seen several key stages of the new school's development.

"This has included the signing of the contract and the cutting of the first sod. It is therefore a great honour to be here to cross the finish line and cut the ribbon to open the new building.

"This purpose-built accommodation represents a £19mn investment in the North West. The facilities provided will benefit not only pupils today but for generations to come. Perhaps, like Connie Hegarty, the girls here in Year 8 will also see their daughters and granddaughters attending St Mary's College.

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"It is essential we continue to invest in our schools’ estate, across the north to ensure all children have modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation in order to aid learning and achieve their full potential."

The Minister commended the principal Marie Lindsay, the Board of Governors and all the school staff: "It is through their hard work and dedication that this new school has been made a reality. It is an excellent example of a non-selective school providing an equality-based education to all.

"Their commitment to ensuring that this child centred education system is available to all has been demonstrated in their strong leadership in the implementation of Transfer 2010. Through their continued commitment to Departmental guidance, on Post-Primary Transfer, the Principal and teaching staff are helping to change the system so that no child is unfairly discriminated against or made to feel a failure," she added.

Also attending the event was party colleague and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, who commented: "It was back in 2001, as then Education Minister, that I announced the capital investment for the development of St Mary's College.

"It is therefore a very special occasion for me personally to be here and see the new school being opened. This is a good day for the city and the school community. This new facility will help prepare our young people for their future and the road ahead," he concluded.

(GK/BMcC)