First Minister Arlene Foster and Education Minister Peter Weir paid a visit to St.Mary’s High School, Brollagh on Friday.

While the minister was there in order to see how the school was coping with the Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of the developmental proposals were on the table for some community representatives including the Parents' Council.

The Parents' Council believe the meeting was a “success” despite one of the representatives from the Department of Education being “unaware” of the issue.

“They took our concerns on board and said they will try and look into the issue.”

The Parent’s Council want an intervention from the Education Minister and the Department of Education to allow for the Peace Core IV project to take place.

A spokesperson from the Parents' Council said: “A letter containing the history and timeline of the schools' progress was handed over to Janis Scallon (Department of Education) to give to the Minister, requesting his intervention and to provide the necessary approvals for the project to commence."

In the meeting with the current ongoing issue of the Peace IV Re-Imaging project funding which the Parents' Council allege has been stopped by the CCMS was also raised.

The Parents' Council are hopeful that the Department will co-operate with them on this issue following the announcement of the Education Restart Wellbeing fund last week meaning educational settings support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

“This shows the minister is committing financially to health and well-being projects,” said the representative.

Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA Jemma Dolan gave her support for the school

Ms. Dolan said: “The Minister visited the school but due to Covid-19 restrictions I was unable to join. However, I took the opportunity to meet with the Minister afterwards and give him a letter outlining my support for the school.

“In the letter I highlighted the fact that I am a past pupil of the school and therefore I am incredibly passionate about it.

“I was one of those pupils who had to go to Enniskillen to do my A-Levels and I informed the Minister of the early mornings, the late evenings and the lack of public transport which stopped me from getting involved in extracurricular activities after school.

“St. Mary’s High School means so much to the local community and my party colleagues and I will continue to call on the Minister to look favourably on the Development Proposal for Integrated Status.”

Principal Ann Carrigan welcomed the visit from Education Minister Peter Weir to St Mary’s High School last week. She said “It was a great opportunity to demonstrate to the Minister the good work of the school and especially how, they like so many other schools, are coping with the challenge of Covid-19.”

Principal Ms. Carrigan greeted the Minister and Department of Education (DE) personnel and took them on a tour of the school during which the precautions and adaptation measures were demonstrated. She described the adherence of pupils to these measures as ‘remarkable’.

Ms. Carrigan conveyed that the school is one where everyone feels they belong with the ethos ‘Education for All’. She spoke of the importance of DE Engage Funding which has allowed the school to help those pupils whose learning was most impacted during lockdown

“This resource allows us to work with the local primary school and employ a teacher one day a week to support Year 10 literacy and numeracy. This has been vital for those most in need and also helps raise life skills with the Year 11 pupils. This incorporates a focus on mental health and well-being which is of particular importance now.”

Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) welcomed the visit. A spokesperson said: “CCMS welcomes Minister Peter Weir’s site visit to St Mary’s High School. With two development proposals in relation to the school currently with the Minister for review this was a valuable opportunity for him to see the school facilities and the local area so as he can be fully informed when he makes his decision. CCMS welcomes the opportunity for the good work being done by the school management, staff and pupils to be showcased to the Minister.”