New Newton primary opens
200 pupils and staff give thumbs up to £13.5 million school facilities
The new £13.5 million Newton Farm Primary School was given a big thumbs up from pupils and staff when it opened last week.
The school, constructed as part of South Lanarkshire Council’s £863 million primary school modernisation programme, welcomed 200 pupils when it opened on Thursday.
The two-storey building has 14 mainstream classrooms, four assisted needs classrooms, two nursery playrooms and extensive support spaces such as offices, stores and meeting room.
There is also a large gym hall with built in stage and lighting equipment and a separate dining hall.
Both of these can be utilised by the community outwith school hours.
Externally there are extensive landscaped grounds with an enclosed MUGA (multi use games area) as well as a variety of play equipment to suit all ages and stages at the school and nursery. Pupils can also enjoy the full size 3G pitch.
Head teacher Catherine Meechan said: “All the hard work and planning was worth it when we saw the faces of the children last week on their first day.
“They were absolutely mesmerised by this bright and airy building. Their sense of wonderment and amazement really brought it home what an inspiring building we have here. We are very lucky indeed to have such a modern building which will make coming to school to learn and teach a real pleasure.
“It was fantastic that we were able to involve the children in the design of their new uniform in the lead up to the new school opening and all 200 pupils wear it with such pride. We have high hopes that this is going to be a great year for all.”
Parents also gave the school top marks. Victoria Hughes, mum to P1 pupil Mark Smith said: “All the children had a great first day and all seemed very happy to come back, which is a good sign.
“The school is amazing and the classrooms are really spacious and inviting, but I think it’s the playground facilities, gym hall and assault course that are the most popular with the children.”
Councillor Katy Loudon, chairwoman of South Lanarkshire Council’s education resources committee, said: “It is immediately apparent that the pupils and staff feel an enormous sense of pride in their new school.
“Of course it has been a unique experience for all of the staff to be involved in the planning and set up of a brand new school. Not many people can say they’ve been involved from day one but it is the pupils who make the school and the fact that they too are thriving with their new school is phenomenal.
“I have absolutely no doubt that each and every pupil will thrive at Newton Farm Primary School and I wish them all the very best for the exciting year ahead.”
The school forms part of the Newton Community Growth Area, which will also see the creation of 1,500 new homes and a local retail centre as part of the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region Deal.