Staff, students and guests alike were treated to a surprise at Erne Integrated College on Tuesday, when World Champion Boxer, Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton was in attendance to officially open the Tom Noble Building which houses the new health and fitness suite as well as excellent sporting and study facilities at the school.

Jimmy Jackson-Ware, Principal of Erne Integrated College said it was a great honour to have Carl Frampton visit the school and officially open the new Tom Noble Building.

This new addition to the facilities on offer at the school was dedicated to the school’s first Principal, Mr. Tom Noble, who sadly passed away last week.

Mr. Noble’s wife and children attended the event. “It’s a wonderful tribute to a very great man and all in the school community felt very honoured to have Carl Frampton MBE carrying out the official opening,” said Mr. Jackson-Ware.

As an integrated college, students enjoy participation in all of the major sporting disciplines including soccer, rugby, netball, boxing, golf, hurling, swimming and rowing.

Taking to Facebook, Gavin Noble, a son of Tom, said: “Hugely proud, as we all were, to be at the opening of the new Erne Integrated College ‘Tom Noble Building’ - a new wing dedicated to sport and learning. Our dad’s two passions.”

Paying tribute to the work of all of those involved in Integrated Education, Carl said: “I am delighted to offer my support for Integrated Education and it’s particularly nice to be working with the schools and meeting the young people. I like to do whatever I can to support NICIE in the vital work they do with parents, schools and young people to help bring more people together in Northern Ireland and make it a better place for all of us.

“I have been completely overwhelmed by the welcome and wonderful reception I received here,” he said.