An Important Message From the Principal

Sep 30, 2011 by Paul Grant    Posted under: News

Some of you may have read in an article in the County Down Spectator (29^th September 2011), that as a consequence of the conditions identified in the recent statement by Mr John O’Dowd, Minister for Education, the future of the College is ‘under threat’.  I wish to make it clear that this is not the case!

This ill-informed article based on outdated and inaccurate data deserves no credibility.  Indeed, the sentiments and conditions expressed in the minister’s statement, strengthen the position of the College both in our local community and indeed in terms of the provision of education inNorthern Ireland.

The criteria identified by the minister to be used for measuring the viability of any school, is underpinned by and stipulated in the Sustainable Schools Policy.  In the case of each of these tests/measures, St Columbanus’ College more than meets the criteria for viability and sustainability.  As a continually over-subscribed school with increasing enrolment, a school which is identified in our community as the College for the whole community, the minister’s statement emboldens us.  Mr O’Dowd avered “the guidance from my Department will make it clear that these plans should allow for popular, over-subscribed schools to grow further”.

This being the case, the future for St Columbanus’ College is not only secure but will be even bigger and brighter.

Liam Perry

Principal