We were delighted last week to have the first sod cut for our new school build. Ken Cathcart; a founder parent, first Chair of Governors and current Chair of the Integrated Education Fund; returned to Braidside along with founder parents and governors to mark the occasion together. They were joined by Mr Scott, the previous Principal, members of the Project Management Team (WYG), Chris Galbraith (DE), Jim McClean (NICIE), Liam Murphy (Glasgiven Contracts Ltd) and children from our P5 class. On a dry January day, we walked together onto the new site and were able to see how well the project is advancing.
Construction is making great progress, following a period of demolition and asbestos removal between August and November 2018. In the last 6 weeks, the foundation excavations and trench fill have now been completed along with the sub-structure blockwork. The floor slabs are being laid in the incoming week and construction of the walls will commence later this month. We hope that in the coming weeks classes will be able to visit the site with their teachers and will be able to see the new school build take shape.
We are grateful to the Department of Education Northern Ireland, who are funding the new school build through the Fresh Start Programme. Thanks also to Ken Cathcart in his role as Chair of the Integrated Education Fund, who have supported the school both in the early days and also with a recent grant to promote our school and encourage further growth.
