Work has begun on the construction of a new £35 million school in Co Tyrone as a further appeal for funding was also launched.
Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill and Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin were among the guests at Holy Trinity College in Cookstown on Thursday as a sod cutting ceremony was held.
When completed in June 2025, the state-of-the-art school will cater for 1,300 pupils, making it one of Northern Ireland’s most significant school projects in recent years.
The new modern school, which will be situated at the rear of the existing building, will include large expanses of coloured glazing, a brickwork plinth and an undulating pitched roof.
The school grounds will include a 3G full-size GAA pitch, car parking and pedestrian access as well as bus, car and taxi drop-off stations.
However, the school is hoping to raise an additional £500,000 to complete an engineering and manufacturing hub at the site.
As well as receiving funding from the Department of Education, the school has been raising funds through the Holy Trinity College Foundation in a bid to provide supplementary resources and facilities for pupils.
The foundation hopes to raise the final sum of money over the next year, which it will use towards an engineering and manufacturing hub onsite, which it says is critical to future-proofing the thriving manufacturing industries in east Tyrone and further afield.
Principal Isabel Russel said: “We are delighted to finally break ground and begin working towards a new era of education here in Cookstown, thanks to the support from the Department of Education and Holy Trinity College Foundation.
“The benefit to future generations who will come through our doors and make use of our improved facilities and resources thanks to those who’ve donated is immeasurable.”
Peter Canavan, former Tyrone Gaelic footballer and a teacher at the school, also appealed for help with raising funds.
“We are a tight-knit community in Tyrone, and the Holy Trinity College Foundation is a prime example of that," he said.
"Thanks to those who have given their time, effort and money, our new school is going to be something everyone can be proud of and serve many generations to come.
“The foundation was ultimately set up to ensure our pupils have the opportunity to reach their full potential and we are delighted to be supported by alumni, business leaders and various sectors of our community on this project though we still need to raise a final sum of £500,000 in order to ensure we are giving our children access to every opportunity they need to succeed in a modern society.”
