A RETIRED headteacher of St Ninian's High School laid the first foundation stone for the new school at Bemahague, Onchan in June.

 
George Quayle, who retired last summer after 39 years in teaching, was  invited by Minister for Education and Children Eddie Teare MHK to carry out the honour at the new St Ninian's Lower School.

The £33.8 million school, which will accommodate the whole of Key Stage 3 (years seven to nine) from the current St Ninian's High School, is set to open in September 2012.

It will accommodate 800 students, with capacity for 300 more, and will boast extensive community sports facilities.

Among those invited to the stone-laying ceremony were Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK, Treasury Minister Anne Craine MHK (who, as Education Minister, gained Tynwald's support for the project) and MHKs for Onchan and Douglas, as well as the current headteacher, governors and head boy and head girl of St Ninian's and representatives of the design consultants and contractors.

Mr Quayle, who was headteacher at St Ninian's for 15 years, said: "I was very pleased to be asked to lay the foundation stone for the new school at Bemahague. For me it will be the realisation of many years of discussion and planning meetings during my time as headteacher of St Ninian's High School.

"It was always my passionate hope that one day soon the youngest students in the school would have modern facilities in which to learn. This has now been made possible and the occasion will see that dream coming closer to reality."

Minister Teare commented: "I felt it was appropriate to recognise everything that Mr Quayle has done for secondary education and especially for St Ninian’s High School.

"A substantial amount of work has been undertaken since work began last year and the project is on time and within budget. This stone-laying ceremony represents a significant milestone in the delivery of high quality facilities for the Island's schoolchildren."