Scottish Catholic Observer

Pupils from St Columba’s High School in Gourock recently helped cut the ground as work begins on their new school building.

The site of the present Gourock High School, in the town’s Tower Hill area, is being refurbished at a cost of £15 million, with St Columba’s pupils set to move into their new surroundings next year.

Refurbishment

The present building will undergo a full refurbishment, which will involve the addition of a third floor and the demolition of part of the building, which will clear the way for a new three-storey extension that will house the religious education department, among others.

A new oratory is also planned for the centre of the school building.

James Docherty, St Columba’s headteacher, said the new developments are ‘an exciting time for our school community.’

“We are really looking forward to providing our students with the environment for learning that they deserve in the 21st century,” Mr Docherty said.

Architects on the project worked closely with pupils at the school on various aspects of the design including the layout of the playground and social areas and the location of the dining area.

Milestone

Speaking on the day of the ground being cut, Terry Loughran, Convener of Education and Lifelong Learning for Inverclyde Council said it was ‘a great day for Inverclyde and for Gourock as we mark another milestone in our ambitious plan to transform education.’

“This will genuinely be a ‘new’ school when the work is completed containing all of the features you would expect in a modern, 21st century secondary school,” Mr Loughran said. “The facilities really will be superb and I am sure everyone—pupils, staff and parents—are hugely excited at the prospect.”

St Columba’s High School will move from its current temporary home, at the former Greenock High School, when the work is completed in August 2013.

n martin@sconews.co.uk