Education Minister hears directly from families fighting to save Derry school

Education Minister Paul Givan visited St Columba’s Primary School in Newbuildings, where he experienced first-hand the vibrant learning environment, exceptional community spirit and shared educational values that have inspired thousands of people to support the school's future.

The visit came just one day after the statutory consultation on Development Proposal 754, which proposes the school's closure in August 2027, concluded. On Tuesday, November 10, St Columba’s submitted comprehensive evidence, including a robust recovery plan, to the Education Authority's Area Planning Team.

Attending in a listening capacity, the Minister met pupils, teachers, parents, governors and community representatives from across Newbuildings and the wider area, reflecting the strong cross-community and cross-party support behind the school.

The Minister saw St Columba’s in its natural, everyday setting - a busy, happy and welcoming school where children are encouraged to embrace every opportunity.

Pupils had just returned, buzzing with excitement, from a morning enjoying the Ulster Orchestra at the Millennium Forum in Derry before performing their own campaign song, Sign Up, for their visitors. It was another exciting day in the school's continually developing programme of educational, cultural and creative experiences.

The visit also showcased the school's award-winning Eco-Schools achievements, outdoor and forest-school learning, shared education with Newbuildings primary school, sensory provision and the nurturing relationships between pupils and staff.

Principal Mrs Tina Lyons welcomed the Minister's visit and the opportunity to showcase the school's everyday educational experience.

"We are delighted that the Minister took the time to meet our children, staff, parents and the wider community, and to listen to their experiences.

"Today he saw St Columba’s as it really is - a happy, vibrant and nurturing school where every child is known and every gift is grown. That is what makes St Columba’s special: our dedicated staff create opportunities every day for children to discover their talents, develop confidence and enjoy learning. We are immensely proud of everything our children achieve."

Julie Middleton MLA attended with the Minister and has expressed her strong support for St Columba’s Primary School, as the school faces the threat of closure, through their journey.

“St Columba’s is much more than just a school. It is a nurturing environment where children are at the heart of the school life , and where pupils are supported, encouraged and given the opportunity to thrive. The school is an integral part of the fabric of Newbuildings village and holds a place of importance within the local community. I recognise the deep concern that this proposal has caused for pupils, parents, staff and the wider community. I stand with all those who want to see St Columba’s remain open.

Gareth McFadden, Chair of the Board of Governors, said the school had presented a comprehensive and constructive response to the closure proposal.

"Our longstanding contribution to shared education is critically important. We believe our recovery plan, alongside the evidence presented through consultation, makes a credible case for giving St Columba’s the opportunity to grow and develop."

"We have submitted our plans to the Education Authority, setting out a positive and measurable pathway for the school's future. It considers P1 and whole-school recruitment, financial sustainability, fundraising, as well as opportunities arising from approved housing developments and further inclusive educational provision.

"Newbuildings is a growing village, 260 + houses are planned and there is significant potential for growth. We believe it would be premature to permanently remove valuable educational infrastructure without fully considering future housing development and demand.

Councillor Sean Mooney, Chair of the DCSDC Planning committee said afterwards – ‘I was really pleased to be invited here today. The case for St Columba’s to remain open is unassailable. I hope the department will consider the future opportunity for what it is.”

The Minister's visit followed an extraordinary week for St Columba’s, including the presentation of a petition containing 6,170 signatures to the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday, November 9.

The campaign has also generated more than 900 letters of support, extensive engagement on social media and representations from across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and further afield.

With 5,103 online supporters demonstrating the strength of local and regional support, the campaign also secured international support. The local, mainly protestant community have been key in rallying round to support their local Catholic Primary School. The majority of the hand signed petitions came from the local community.

The school's own parent consultation returned an overwhelmingly positive endorsement of its educational provision. All participating parents opposed closure, reported positive experiences of the school and rated teaching, learning and assessment as excellent. Parents particularly valued small class sizes, individualised attention, the expertise of teachers, nurturing pastoral care, outdoor learning and the strong relationships between staff, pupils and families.

During his visit the Minister Givan had the chance to meet with and hear from parents. Parent Lisa Colhoun talked about the importance of small schools in supporting children who have experienced trauma and loss, and those with additional needs. Adrienne Flannagan talked about the strength of community which she found as a parent who was new to the area, while her husband’s connection to the school goes back generations.

With staff bringing decades of experience in composite teaching, the school believes its smaller classes are a particular strength, providing continuity, security and opportunities for individualised support.

St Columba’s has also been exploring opportunities to enhance inclusive education, building on its sensory provision and therapeutic, trauma-informed approaches. Engagement with organisations including Adoption UK, VOYPIC and Health and Social Care representatives has helped inform consideration of additional opportunities for children with diverse needs.

As a Catholic-maintained primary school in a predominantly Protestant village, St Columba’s has a distinctive and longstanding contribution to shared education. Its partnership with neighbouring Newbuildings Primary School enables children from different religious and community backgrounds to learn, play and develop friendships together, fostering understanding and respect across traditions. Janice Montgomery UUP attended today’s visit and stressed the importance of cross community support for the school. Janice and party colleague Darren Guy have promoted cross party support for the school.

This school has received support from across political parties, churches, community organisations Bishop Michael Router, who visited St Columba’s and provided a letter of support, is among the faith leaders backing the school. The Very Reverend Dr William Morton, formerly Dean of St Columb’s Cathedral and now Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, has also highlighted the importance of the school in fostering friendships across traditions and the lasting value of children learning to understand one another.

Support from the Churches Trust and the Hume Foundation further reinforced the importance of shared education and community relationships, reflecting the legacy of John and Pat Hume and their belief in respect, education and reconciliation.

Eurovision legend Dana added her voice to the campaign and wrote to the Minister on behalf of the school. Dana is one of Derry's most famous daughters. She shot to international fame in 1970 when, still a pupil at Thornhill College. She won the Eurovision Song Contest with All Kinds of Everything, securing Ireland's first victory at just 18 years old.

Dana highlighted the importance of schools as places where children develop "confidence, faith, friendship, and a sense of belonging", and praised St Columba’s contribution to shared education. Dana reinforced the importance of Shared Education.

"Faith-based education and shared education need not be in conflict, and they are certainly not in Newbuildings. St Columba’s and Newbuildings Primary School demonstrate how both can flourish alongside each other."

She also stressed that decisions about educational facilities should consider not only present circumstances but the needs and opportunities of future generations, particularly in a growing village.

Other high-profile supporters include Liam Ó Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers, whose song Don't Go has provided a fitting musical connection to the campaign.

In a video message, Liam described the proposed closure as premature at a time when Newbuildings is preparing for further development, emphasising that "anything that brings us together is vital."

Derry musician and former St Columba’s pupil Peter Cunnah has also lent his support, reflecting the lasting connections that generations of former pupils maintain with the school.

The campaign has also brought generations of families together through its popular Throwback Thursday social media series, with former pupils sharing photographs and memories of school life as St Columba’s looks ahead to its 50th anniversary in 2027.

Mary Blake, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors, said the campaign had created an opportunity to communicate the school's strengths to a much wider audience.

"While this process has been challenging, the response from across communities and generations has been extraordinary. Our campaign has become about much more than opposing closure. It has given us the opportunity to celebrate the excellence of our school , to showcase all that we have to offer and to share the remarkable community spirit that surrounds it.

"Through our videos, photographs and social media engagement, thousands of people have been introduced to the wonderful family atmosphere at St Columba’s. We believe this has opened new doors to future recruitment and encouraged families to see what our school can offer to potential pupils. We would love the threat of closure to be lifted so that we can harness this opportunity to grow our school community.

"We are grateful to Minister Givan for taking the time to listen to our school community. Our ambition now is to build on this positive momentum and ensure that St Columba’s has the opportunity to welcome many more generations of children."

For the pupils of St Columba’s, the Minister's visit was another memorable experience in a school day filled with music, learning and friendship.

And while the adults have presented plans, evidence and thousands of expressions of support, it is the children's own experiences that remain at the heart of the school's future. Their voices that are the most powerful.

The children read and presented their wishes and hopes to the minister and presented a golden key, made through their intergenerational work with the Men’s Shed, asking that future generations would be able to access the door to St Columba’s just as they have been.

Rudhan said’ Please don’t turn this golden key to shut our school, keep St Columba’s open so that we can share a magical future together in our village forever’.